Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently announced a policy shift regarding the treatment of retired police canines. Under the new guidelines, dogs that have completed ten years of service with the state police force will be permitted to stay with their former handlers after retirement. The state government has committed to covering the expenses required for the animals' ongoing care and maintenance.

Fadnavis stated that the decision is rooted in the principle that animals who have dedicated a decade to public service should not face hardship once their working life concludes. The initiative aims to ensure that these dogs spend their remaining years in a comfortable environment rather than being moved to institutional facilities. While the announcement focuses on the welfare of the animals, it also acknowledges the bond formed between the dogs and their handlers during their years of active duty. The policy is expected to improve the quality of life for retired service animals by allowing them to remain in a familiar home setting with the individuals they worked alongside.