Delhi Police's Crime Branch thought their canine fleet would be ecstatic at seeing their newly constructed kennels, located at a new building on Tuesday. But no, the 35 labradors turned up their noses and refused to walk into new kennels. The reason? No air-conditioning.

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The kennels that the canines had refused to enter were housed in the dog squad building. This is part of Crime Branch's new police station, located in Pushp Vihar in south Delhi. Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik had inaugurated the new building with much fanfare on Tuesday but the lack of ACs ensured that while people might be staying there, the canines would not, at least for now.

Speaking to DNA, Crime Branch officials admitted that they had forgotten to install ACs in the building where the kennels were housed. As a result, alternate accommodation would have to be provided for the dogs till they were installed in the building. The 35 labradors have been procured from IBC Meerut, by the Crime Branch.

"All the labradors are aged between two to three years. These dogs are already endowed with basic skills and will further specialise in tracking down weapons and explosives. Each of them have been allocated a dedicated trainer and assistants will be hired, as and when required," said Constable Sandeep Kumar, one of the dog handlers.

Trainers added that each dog will be given their independent kennel, which is something like a small room with mauve tiles that lead to a balcony, for better air ventilation. "Since they are young and are police dogs, they will need space to run around freely to exhaust themselves," said Constable Pawan Agarwal, another handler.

Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime, Praveen Ranjan said there are plans of doubling the strength of the dogs in Pushp Vihar to 70.