By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — After serving for several years, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) on Friday handed over its 16 retired Narcotic Detection Dogs (NDDs), or K9s, to their adopters at the PDEA K9 Unit facility in Sitio Lambakin, Barangay Sto. Cristo in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.
In a statement, PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said there were 33 applicants for adoption of the hero dogs who have undergone screening and interview to determine their capacity to adopt, as a stringent requirement set forth in the Standard Operating Procedure of PDEA K9 Unit.
He said the PDEA retired 18 NDDs consisting of 14 Belgian Malinois, two Jack Russell Terriers, one German Shepherd, and one Labrador but only 13 K9s were adopted, as the two Belgian Malinois are not fit for adoption for their aggressive behavior while one of the dogs has no adopters because of health condition, which requires maintenance medication.
He added the other two have adopters who showed interest, but have no financial capability to maintain the animals. The animals left with PDEA’s care will stay at its K9 facility.
The six NDDs were handed over to PDEA personnel, who had expressed their desire to adopt, and the other eight K9s to individuals who have passed the screening and interview conducted last May 3.
The hero dogs served in the anti-illegal drug operations of PDEA in jail facilities, search and seizure, interdiction and checkpoints in airports, seaports, and transport terminals nationwide.
Aquino said the PDEA K9 Unit facility is not an ideal place for fostering these hero dogs, hence, they were made available for adoption so that they can have a stress-free environment and loving family that could give them care and attention.
“A periodic monitoring of K9s with their adopters will be conducted to ensure their welfare,” Aquino said.
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