Chiuaua joins Japanese police force

[Rydia]

This is kind of old but still noteworthy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11804083

Tiny Chiuaua Set to join Japanese police force.

Momo competed against golden retrievers and German shepherds to win a place as a contract police dog
A chihuahua named Momo (Peach) has passed the exam to become a dog in the police force in western Japan, in what seems to be a first.
The 3kg (6.6lb) dog is set to become part of a search-and-rescue team used for disasters such as earthquakes.
Its small size means it will be able to squeeze into places too narrow for dogs such as German Shepherds.
Chihuahuas, named after a Mexican state, are one of the the smallest breeds of dog.
"It's quite rare for us to have a chihuahua work as a police dog," said a police spokeswoman in Nara, western Japan.
"We would like it to work hard by taking advantage of its small size."
Momo, aged seven, will begin work in January.

When I first read the article title, I was like "huh really?", because when I think police dog, I think of a dog that can attack if needed. But it makes much more sense that the dog is going to be a search and rescue dog.

 

[Valvalis]

This sounds like a cool idea. I've always thought search and rescue dogs would need to be big and strong to be able to pull people out of places, but if they have to take the time to dig rubble away from a small hole to make it bigger, that could be a big hindrance. Whereas maybe they could put some sort of tracking device on the chihuahua, so that when he finds the person, the rescue team can go right to them.

 

[Linnaete]

Come to think of it, I see no issues with this either. In fact, it does sound rather sensible in theory. I know when people talk about police dogs they immediately think of the large aggressive types that look pretty intimidating, but having chihuahuas in search and rescue operations would certainly be a good idea for tracking down trapped individuals that could otherwise be difficult to find and get to. Of course due to their small stature, that would be pretty much it for their job, but it's an important one anyway if it alerts the rescue teams to the right place so they themselves can get people out.

 

[Amizon]

I thought that this was weird at first, but after seeing the article, it makes a lot of sense. I normally think of Alsations whenever someone says police dogs. But this might be useful say if there are any disasters and there're more likely in Japan. It's an excellent idea if it does work out.

 

[Masked Man]

A chihuahua versus the Yakuza? That would make an interesting novel. How efficient is a dog like a chihuahua against the Yakuza? Unless it's genetically enhanced, I doubt it's usefulness.

 

[Kandy-Sugar]

Awe good on the little guy. =)

I like seeing things like this.

I'm surprised they even put him through the exam. I thought they just tested the same breeds all the time.

 

[Tipsynaruto]

A chihuahua versus the Yakuza? That would make an interesting novel. How efficient is a dog like a chihuahua against the Yakuza? Unless it's genetically enhanced, I doubt it's usefulness.

Masked, the article said it was going to be used in search and rescue missions after natural disasters, not set loose against the local organised crime families.

Well, if it qualifies, it qualifies. Thats all that can be said, particularly if its quite practical like what the article said