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Keeping burglars at bay

Going on a long holiday? Say goodbye to your worries and allow canines to take charge of your house, writes B. MADHU GOPAL

SCARING INTRUDERS Leave your secuity concerns to these canines PHOTO: K.R. DEEPAK

There are two major problems that the middle and upper middle class families face when they have to go out on long tours, especially during the summer vacation.

Those who have dogs as pets have to either leave behind a family member at home to take care of the canine or alternatively take it along with them on the tour which may not be always possible. Those who do not have a dog at home have a different problem. Their house could be burgled if it remains locked for long.

How about hiring a trained dog to keep a watch on your house in your absence? Sounds weird? It's strange, but true. A kennel has come out with the unique service for the first time in this part of the country. It has already been offering boarding facility to dogs for the convenience of their masters going on vacation.

Rajesh Kumar, a businessman living in Madhurawada on the outskirts of the city was worried when he had to leave for Hyderabad on a month-long trip during the last summer. He came to know through some friends that Marshall Kennel and Dog Security was providing dogs on hire for security.

"As our colony is located on the outskirts of the city we were worried about security. A security guard may get scared when he sees an armed dacoit or sometimes guards may doze off but that can be ruled out in the case of trained canines," says Rajesh.

"I preferred to have a dog for the security of my house when we went out on vacation two months ago. A dog not only scares away thieves but also alerts other residents in the neighbourhood on getting the slightest hint of intruders," says Riaz of Akkayyapalem.

The first dog trained by Basha in providing security belongs to Mrs. Rajyalakshmi. It is a seven-year German Shepherd named `Caesar'. "Our dog has averted many thefts. It has also won prizes at many competitions," she says.

"It was in 2002 that a private company (Essar Gujarat) approached me for a dog to provide security for their plant in the city. I was already toying with the idea and I jumped at their offer," recalls M.M Basha of Marshall Kennel and Dog Security.

"I promptly provided them a trained dog. They were very happy with it and that provided the much-needed impetus to my plans to start full-fledged dog security services. Today, I have 28 trained dogs and as many handlers. My dogs are providing security at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at Sunabeda in Orissa, and talks are on with some private companies, which are seeking security services," he says.

The canines have averted many thefts at scrap godowns at Autonagar. There were occasions when vexed thieves, who had no guts to enter the premises, threw iron rods at the dogs on duty and injured them seriously. This is not all, the trained canines are rendering invaluable services in resolving the growing land disputes in the metro.

"Already 15 individuals have availed of our services when they went out of the city on vacation. We send a dog and one handler to take care of the security concerns. German Shepherd, Doberman and Rotweiler are the best breeds for security services," says Basha.

Future plans

Basha has plans to set up a kennel, which can meet everything in dog care and training at one place. The kennel is presently located on a private site and major constructions cannot be taken up on the site. He is sore with nationalised banks for refusing to give loans to kennels while extending the same to poultry farms and other uncertain businesses. "This is despite the fact that good dog breeds command fancy prices in the market," he adds.

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