Mumbai: Gold medallist police dog Max bids final adieu

Max, an 11-year-old Labrador retriever, who had retired from the Goregaon-based Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) of the Mumbai police, passed away on a Sunday morning. Max held a special place in the Maharashtra police department as he was the only dog to have won the gold medal in 2016, a remarkable achievement since 1993. Having retired in April due to old age, Max had been adopted by a loving family in Virar.

Throughout his career, Max demonstrated exceptional skills in detecting explosives, making him one of the best in his field. He actively participated in over 500 VIP security checks, including at celebrity gatherings. His dedication and expertise also earned him two other medals - a silver in 2014 and a bronze in July 2016.
Max had two dedicated handlers, PSI Sachin Jadhav and Constable Sandeep Patil, who were deeply affected by his passing. PSI Jadhav shared that Max was known for his unparalleled energy and ability to detect explosives even during night operations.

The beloved dog was born in 2012 and was acquired from a private breeder before joining the Mumbai police force at the tender age of two months. After undergoing rigorous training in command and manners, he received specialised dog training at the Maharashtra Police Dog Training Center in Pune for 1.5 years. In 2013, he officially became a member of the police force, showcasing outstanding performance and dedication.

Speaking with mid-day, dog handler Jadhav from the Goregaon dog squad team said, "Max was super active when it came to finding explosives, especially at night. He was the only gold medalist from Maharashtra from 1993 till now." According to Jadhav, he would consume 250 ml of milk and two boiled eggs for breakfast and rice with boiled meat for lunch and dinner. "We also used to serve him bones three times a week."

Jadhav further explained that Max retired from duty in April as he was unwell. After which he was adopted by a family in Virar. "Max was also extremely friendly. We have lost a Mumbai police hero," Jadhav said.

PSI Vinod Balla from the Goregaon dog squad team said, "We lost our hero on Sunday and we gave him a salute and conducted his final rites at Virar. He possessed master techniques to find explosives in rooms, vehicles, luggage, on open ground and even in the human body. He won the gold medal due to his outstanding techniques and quick detection skills." According to Balla, who was his coach when he won the gold medal and handler for five years, Max was never off duty and didn't need any medical treatment as he was extremely fit through his years of service.

One of Max's most remarkable achievements was representing the Maharashtra Police in the 60th All India Police Duty Meet competition held in Mysore in 2016. The competition brought together around 120 highly-trained dogs from central security forces, including BSF, CISF, NSG, RPF, paramilitary forces, and state police across the country. Max's quick detection skills and outstanding techniques secured him the gold medal at this prestigious event.

In the competition, Max clocked the fastest search time for explosives in each stage which had the time limit of 10 minutes. Max scored the highest in the obedience exam and in searching for explosives in various settings (humans, luggage, open ground, vehicle and a room).

In recognition of his exceptional work, Max received accolades from Commissioner of Police Datta Padsalgikar, CID chief Sanjeev Kumar Verva, and DCP Tejashvini Satpute.

The Mumbai police and the entire community are at a loss after the demise of this brave and dedicated hero. Max will be remembered for his service and unwavering commitment to keeping the people of Mumbai safe. Rest in peace, Max, your legacy will live on in our hearts!

2013
Year Max officially joined police force