CHENNAI: A 9-year-old male sniffer dog named Caesar who dutifully served in the Chennai airport security force was honoured with a heartwarming retirement ceremony at the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) headquarters in Pazhavanthangal here.
The Labrador Caesar who was in service for most of his life was felicitated with medals, a shower of garlands, a cake-cutting ceremony, and a walk on the red carpet before being sent off.
In the same event, Yazhini, a 9-month-old British breed Labrador retriever was welcomed into CISF security service with full honours.
Yazhini who is replacing Caesar has undergone six months of intensive training to be a sniffer dog at the CISF training center in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
At the retirement ceremony, Caesar and Yazhini were fed cake following which Caesar was led on a red carpet laid out for him.
Then, officials including CISF DIG Arun Singh, Chennai Airport Director C V Deepak pulled the open-top four-wheeler with Ceasar seated on it and flowers were showered on him. Later, the handlers of the sniffer dog who took care of him for over eight years tearfully escorted him away from the premises.
The CISF personnel, who are responsible for security operations at the Chennai airport, deploy trained sniffer dogs for detection of explosives, narcotics, and concealed weapons as well as to provide security to VIPs.
With the induction of Yazhini, there are currently 9 trained sniffer dogs working in shifts to provide 24/7 security at the airport, CISF DIG Arun Singh said.
CISF DIG Arun Singh hailed Caesar's active role in maintaining airport security and noted that Yazhini was a suitable replacement. Caesar was involved in resolving many crises at the airport, mainly pertaining to unclaimed baggage left behind by passengers, he said.
"Dog squads at the airports are the cornerstone for the security protocols. They are part and parcel of every security drill we follow," Singh explained.
Caesar will now be housed at the CISF training center in Ranchi. Officials have announced that any animal lover could adopt Caesar following due procedure.
(With additional inputs from PTI)