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Published on August 26, 2007

"This project helps strengthen crime protection and supplement [enforcement] capacity because of the shortage of police dogs. Besides, it also helps ease the stray-dog problem," said Maj-General Chakthip Chaijinda, commander of the Special Operation Police Division.

He said the project was opened for dog lovers who wanted to help society.

They didn't need to have their own pets, because the Metropolitan Police's Police Dog Command would choose some soi dogs under the supervision of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to be trained as their partner.

The project started with 10 volunteers, including business owners, company employees and government officials.

An instructor said the dogs in the first group still couldn't work in real situations yet, as

they needed more time. The dogs were 80 per cent on the way to being able to detect illicit

drugs.

The trained volunteers would work in their communities. Their telephone numbers and addresses would be given to a police station close to their home so that they could be called when needed.

Sithiroj Kasemviroj, 23, a company employee, said he had applied for the project with his dog. He thought it would be useful to him and society and he could also assist police. Besides, he enjoyed training with his dog.

Chaiwat Ruangkittikul, 52, director of Mahachai Hospital, said he had joined the first class in January with his two dogs and thought he would work together with the police after completing the project.