The Namibian Police Force’s (NAMPOL) Canine Unit, also known as the K9 unit, is in dire need of more dogs and horses to help fight crime, especially at airports and border posts, countrywide. NamPol Inspector General, Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga said this in an interview with NAMPA on Tuesday, following a memorandum of understanding the police signed last week with Namibia Farmer Unions aimed at protecting farmers through patrols. He said the force only has eight dogs and they need 30 to 40 required to help fight crimes. “We are facing the lack of dogs and horses in the K9 unit to assist police officers when they are pursuing criminals who run into places that are not easily accessible to human beings,” he said. Ndeitunga said the police need to have dogs at every entry and exit point of the country, to help detect substances that cannot be immediately seen with the naked eye or by a machine, especially substances that are carried in trucks. “We need to have dogs at every border post and airport to help the human capacity. Sometimes when we are patrolling in the suburbs, criminals run into the mountains and this is where dogs are needed the most to pursue criminals,” said Ndeitunga. He said the lack of dogs is caused by budget constraints, adding that some dogs are ageing and they become ineffective as they can’t detect anything or run after a fleeing criminal, hence the need to be replaced. The police chief said they have training facilities in various towns around the country and also have a memorandum of understanding with the University of Namibia to train and maintain dogs. He noted that this is expensive as one dog can cost up to N$50 000 or more to train and maintain, and the training lasts between 120 to 132 days depending on how fast the dog can learn. “We will appreciate anyone who wishes to donate dogs and horses to NamPol preferably the German shepherd,” expressed Ndeitunga. Dogs are trained to specialise on how to detect crimes, military explosives and drugs such as illegal substances like narcotics, Mandrax, cocaine and cannabis. -NAMPA