Caesar, the last surviving hero of 26/11 dog squad passes away

Mumbai, Oct 13: Caesar, the last surviving hero and fameed smiffer dog of Mumbai police who saved several lives during the 2008 Mumbai terror atatcks passed away after a prolonged illness on Thursday.

He died today at 9.30 am at a farm in Virar. He was buried with full state honours while jawans and officers from Mumbai Police were present for his last rites.

Caesar was the sole surviving police dog from a quartet which served during the 26/11 attack.

His fellow dog squad colleagues Tiger, Sultan and Max passed away in the past few months. After his buddy Tiger's death, he went into depression and was admitted in Parel's animal hospital in June.

"Caesar was on the recovery path but today his condition worsened and he died. He fought till his last breath" caretaker Fizza Shah was quoted as saying.

"The brave, alert and efficient Caesar will be remembered fondly for his services. An emotional moment for all of us," Mumbai police commissioner Datta Padsalgikar said in his tribute on Twitter.

The retired Labrador was a part of Mumbai police's Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) from 2005 to 2013.

During the terror attacks in Mumbai which started on November 26, 2008, Caesar saved several lives when he sniffed out two hand grenades left by the terrorists at the busy CST railway station.

Caesar was also a part of search team at Nariman House, where terrorists were holed up for three days. Earlier he was also pressed into service for bomb-search operation after the 2006 serial train blasts and July 2011 serial blasts in Mumbai.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from PTI)