Putin to buy satellite navigation system for his dog

Moscow, Dec 24 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed interest in buying a device linked to the Russian navigation satellite device GLONASS, for his pet dog.

''I will be able to buy one for my dog, Koni, so that she does not run away,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mr Putin as saying.

A new device for vehicles linked to GLONASS is to go on sale this week, with a device for pets to be launched next year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a presidential briefing today.

Koni gained fame in 2005 after the publishing of an English book 'Koni's Stories', which tells the story of the black labrador's adventures.

There are rumours that Koni is also named after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the agency said.

GPS systems have become popular for pets in recent years, especially in the US, in response to the growing popularity of 'dognapping' of rare and expensive breeds of dogs.

UNI