Our K-9 officers deserve more than an auction
Bangladesh’s retiring K-9 officers have spent years in high-risk service, yet their final chapter is being reduced to a public auction. We owe them better
Retirement is one of the most profound transitions in any life. It marks the closing of one chapter and the fragile beginning of another, especially for ageing working animals whose bodies have carried the weight of years of service. While "retirement" is a human word, the principle behind it applies just as deeply to working animals who spend their lives serving at our side. For them too, the years after service should be marked by comfort, not uncertainty.
Yet this month, as the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) prepares to auction off three retired K-9 officers – Finn, Sam and Cory – we are forced to confront a difficult truth about how we treat those who have served us without question.
These dogs were not born in Dhaka. According to the DMP, they were born and trained in the United Kingdom before being inducted into Bangladesh's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit. These three K-9 dogs, like many before them, were deployed in community protection, explosives detection, search operations and other high-stakes duties. They were not just safeguarding tools, rather faithful teammates — loyal and disciplined.
Their compensation for their unwavering service? A bowl of food, a pat on the head and the silent expectation that they would give everything they had. And when their bodies finally slow, when age makes them "less useful", they are quietly pushed aside. No gratitude. No ceremony. No honour for the years they stood between us and danger. Just an auction.
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This raises a heartbreaking question: after giving so much of their energy, their loyalty, their lives, why does their service count for so little in the end? Why no retirement funds, no ongoing support for feeding or medical care?
The Additional Deputy Commissioner of the CTTC's Bomb Disposal Unit said he hopes they will "spend the rest of their lives in a safe and caring environment with animal lovers". But hope is not a guarantee. Do we have a mechanism in place to guarantee that these dogs will be in safe hands or in a home that is well-prepared and aware of how to care for a retired canine companion?
Dogs accustomed to high-intensity work environments might find it difficult to adjust to a more relaxed lifestyle. The sudden lack of structure, stimulation and daily tasks can lead to restlessness, anxiety or even depression. After spending years in environments where alertness is crucial, these dogs may struggle with hypervigilance or difficulty "turning off" their protective instincts.
While the law prohibits neglect and cruelty, it does not provide explicit guidance on what public agencies owe to their service animals after retirement. This means the responsibility for their care and the cost of their veterinary bills fall solely on their new owner. Such a gap allows decisions like this one: technically legal, but ethically shallow.
Moreover, officials have also said that the three dogs are in "good health". Research shows that service dogs may develop conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia or other joint problems because of the physically demanding nature of their work. As they form strong bonds with their handlers, separation after retirement can lead to emotional distress or anxiety. Which law, policy or welfare framework in our country fully accounts for these realities?
We understand that dogs used in law enforcement generally have a fixed service span, and CTTC has assured that the auction will be conducted in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. While the law prohibits neglect and cruelty, it does not provide explicit guidance on what public agencies owe to their service animals after retirement. This means the responsibility for their care and the cost of their veterinary bills fall solely on their new owner. Such a gap allows decisions like this one: technically legal, but ethically shallow.
When a state uses an animal for national security, the duty of care should not end the moment the dog becomes "less operationally useful". Legal protections seem more focused on preventing active cruelty than guaranteeing after-service welfare.
These dogs not only saved lives, but also formed bonds with their handlers, and their training and service had real costs — both financial and emotional. The institution that deployed them for national security now wishes to offload them in a public auction. That is not gratitude; that is convenience. It is an offloading responsibility.
Finn, Cory and Sam did more than sniff bombs or protect crime scenes — they stood guard over our safety, our streets, our lives. They served without hesitation, without complaint and without ever understanding the political or institutional systems that benefited from their labour.
If we value loyalty, bravery and sacrifice in human officers, should we value them any less in our four-legged partners?
It would cost very little for a government institution — one that manages far larger expenses every single day — to allocate a modest retirement budget for these animals. Food, basic healthcare or dental care and a dignified end-of-service plan are hardly extravagant demands. These dogs are not commodities; they are living beings who have served in life-threatening situations on our behalf.
A formal K-9 retirement scheme, managed jointly by law enforcement agencies and veterinary partners, could ensure lifelong care or supervised adoption. Many countries maintain such systems precisely to honour the service of working animals. We should too. These dogs were not "tools" when they were detecting bombs and preventing tragedies. They should not suddenly become dispensable now.
What message do we send to ourselves, to future handlers, to everyone who watches how we treat those who serve — when a lifetime of loyalty ends with a price tag? When we let their service be reduced to a bid on a sheet of paper?
S Arzooman Chowdhury is an alumnus of the University of Cambridge. She is a Human Rights and Research Specialist.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
