TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New Taipei City Government held a farewell party Thursday for six of the city’s retired police dogs.
New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) awarded medals to the dogs for their service. Hou said they served eight years and aided in evidence collection, bomb detection, and drug busts, per the city government's new release.
The New Taipei Police Department K-9 Unit, founded in 2014, has 13 dog handlers and 22 dogs, including Labrador retrievers and German shepherds. From January to November they assisted on 114 missions.
Ma Ching-chi (馬清基), the unit's head, said the police dogs assist with security duties for significant events such as National Day, presidential inaugurations, the Golden Horse Awards, and New Year's Eve celebrations. The K-9 Unit's “Lucky Star” is a blood-detection dog that helped solve Banqiao District's dismemberment case in 2018.
Hou said the city government spent two months selecting six adopters from more than 200 applicants to ensure comprehensive care for the retired police dogs.
At the party, a video about the handlers and police dogs was played. Handlers Li Chia-jung (李佳蓉) and Lin Chih-lun (林志倫) also shared their experiences.
