Mysuru Police Dog Squads Demonstrate Remarkable Crime-Solving Prowess
In the historic city of Mysuru, the dedicated canine units of the police force have emerged as indispensable assets in the relentless fight against crime. These highly trained dog squads, an essential component of modern policing infrastructure, have achieved significant breakthroughs in criminal investigations across the region.
Impressive Five-Year Performance Statistics
Detailed data reveals that over the last five years, the Mysuru City police dog squad has contributed to solving 291 criminal cases, while the district dog squad has been instrumental in cracking an additional 693 cases. This combined total of 984 solved cases demonstrates the substantial impact these canine units have made on law enforcement effectiveness in the region.
According to information presented by Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara in response to legislative queries from Mandya MLC Madhu G Madegowda, police dog squads across Karnataka helped solve 2,331 crimes during 2025 alone. This statewide data underscores the broader significance of canine units in contemporary crime detection efforts.
Resource Allocation and Canine Deployment
The minister further informed the legislative assembly that Karnataka currently maintains a police dog squad strength of 274 working dogs, operating slightly below the sanctioned strength of 322 animals. Each canine officer receives dedicated care and maintenance, with the department allocating approximately Rs 400 per day per dog for food and upkeep expenses.
The Mysuru City dog squad currently comprises ten specially trained dogs named Rashmi, Ganga, Kusha, Raksha, Datta, Krishna, Yodha, Arjuna, and Garuda. Meanwhile, the Mysuru district squad operates with seven canine officers: Browno, Sweeti, Isha, Maina, Ricky, and Hero.
Year-by-Year Case Resolution Patterns
Within Mysuru city limits, the dog squad achieved its highest detection rate during 2021-22, solving 67 cases. Subsequent years showed consistent performance with 57 cases in 2022-23, 60 cases in 2023-24, 61 cases in 2024-25, and 43 cases during the 2025-26 period up to January.
In the broader Mysuru district, the canine units recorded their most productive year in 2022-23, contributing to the resolution of 151 criminal cases—the highest single-year total across the five-year reporting period.
Specialized Canine Roles in Policing
Home Minister Parameshwara emphasized that different dog breeds are strategically deployed for specific law enforcement purposes based on their natural abilities and specialized training. German shepherds and Dobermans primarily serve in crime detection and suspect tracking operations, utilizing their exceptional scent discrimination and pursuit capabilities.
Meanwhile, Labrador retrievers and Belgian malinois are typically assigned to more specialized duties including explosive detection, narcotics identification, and recovery operations for locating missing persons or bodies. This strategic breed deployment ensures optimal utilization of each canine's unique strengths in various policing scenarios.
The continued success of these canine units highlights their growing importance in modern law enforcement strategies, combining traditional policing methods with specialized animal-assisted capabilities to enhance public safety and crime resolution rates across Karnataka.
