New Straits Time - December 31, 2007
Source:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/20071231104827/Article/index_html
Demand for guard dogs on the
rise
By Adrian
David
PETALING JAYA: Guard dogs
are increasingly in demand, thanks to the rising spate
of crime and greater concern for the safety of lives and
property.
Many upper-class households, exclusive clubs, large
companies, law enforcement agencies, estates, jewellery
shops, warehouses and commercial complexes are securing
the services of guard dogs.
The dogs are a supplement to guards and alarm systems.
The likes of a German Shepherd, also known as Alsatian,
Rottweiler, Doberman, Boxer, Terrier, Melonios and
Labrador are much sought after for their discipline and
skills that range from static security, detection work,
human-tracking, patrolling and rescue work.
Guard dogs, which are either brought in from Europe, the
United States or bred locally, are in demand for several
reasons.
“For
one, guard dogs don’t sleep on the job! They are very
reliable and cannot be bribed!” said Gwen Kennels
proprietor Edmund Marc De Run, who has a breeding and
training centre in Batu Arang, Selangor.
De Run, 60, who has been in the business for over 35
years, said guard dogs were also intelligent animals.
He recalled that his dogs were a hit for payroll escorts
in the sixties when they were hired out for only RM2 an
hour.
“Today, hiring a trained dog can cost up to RM1,500 a
month while buying one will cost between RM2,000 and
RM20,000.
“It may cost several hundred ringgit a month to maintain
each dog but the returns are worth it,” said de Run who
started his business in 1973 with 22 dogs imported from
London.
He said there was a great demand among tin miners for
his dogs which were able to sniff out thieves who
attempted to smuggle out pure tin ore concealed in
cigarette tin cans.
G-Pet Guard Dog Services managing director Carlos
Huertas said there were easily over 1,000 guard dogs in
the country.
“As a guard dog has a life span of about six years, the
turnover is high,” said Huertas.
His firm is not hiring out guard dogs because of the
risk of injury to the animals
“We concentrate on supplying trained guard dogs to
security firms and enforcement agencies, many of which
are setting up their own `K9’ units.
“I believe there is an important bond between humans and
animals that we can use to enrich our lives. I have
never met a dog that I could not find something positive
about,” Huertas said.
He added that guard dogs were trained as man’s best
friend by instilling passion, love, obedience and
response to commands.
“Training involves teaching the dog against attacking
friends and other pets, destructive chewing, unnecessary
barking and toiletting.
“The dogs are boarded in a hygienic environment with
plenty of ventilation. Grooming involves a bath, ear
cleaning, nail curing and a brush.
“Air-scenting search dogs are trained to scan the air
currents for human scent or track for forbidden items
like drugs, firearms and explosives,” said Huertas, who
runs his facility in Shah Alam, Selangor.
M-Guardians K9
operations manager Leo Pui said poor security in an
establishment could result in rocketting insurance and
operational costs because of burglaries.
“You may also suffer losses from vandalism, theft and
pilfering that can affect your profits,” said Pui.
He advised businessmen and individuals to allow guard
dog firms to take care of their security needs while
they focussed on more important things.
“We are committed to meet the critical trust placed on
us by providing dedication, professionalism and
integrity in our supply of guard dogs,” said Pui, whose
firm is based in Miri, Sarawak.
Sunny K9 Sdn Bhd managing director Sunny Tan advised
people not to take security for granted.
"Protect your family and property from intruders,
burglars, rapists, kidnappers and murderers. Don’t wait
until it is too late!”
“It's true!! Most of us take things for granted and
believe that bad things happen only to other people,”
said Tan, whose outfit in Tanjung Rambutan, Ipoh.
Tan said one should always be prepared for the worst,
especially with the threathening crime rate.
Former Army Dog Unit commander Captain (rtd) Kung Boon
Chin said guard dogs must be regulated by the local
authority and provided proper food, a kennel and an
equally trained dog handler.
“If improperly handled, guard dogs can be a liability
and sensitive especially in a multi-religious society
like ours.”
Kung, who used to operate Captain Kung's Guard and Dog
Sdn Bhd and later JKL Security Sdn Bhd., now runs Detag
Sdn Bhd, a company dealing with electronic security
equipment, in Shah Alam.
Kung said trained dogs could detect the slightest sign
of danger to safety.
“Thus, they complement guards very well,” he said.
Stephen Guard Dog chief trainer Stephen Anthony from
Cheras, Kuala Lumpur said his firm could supply any
number of dogs to customers as he had a ready supply
from abroad.
“We can airfreight the dogs and get them acclimatised
quickly with their new surrounding and owners,” he said.
Asian Professional Security Association president Datuk
Rahmat Ismail said many security firms established their
K9 units as the business was lucrative.
“Besides, guard dogs complement guards and security
gadgets, thereby enhancing the safety of lives and
property,” he said
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