A MEMBER of the Kuala Muda District Police Headquarters (IPD) K9 Unit - a dog named Goran retired today after six years of service with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
Corporal M Shivabalan, who has been looking after Goran since he was brought in from Czechoslovakia in 2019, said their bond is very strong and considers him a good and efficient colleague.
According to him, Goran, who is now eight years old, has hip problems, but remained loyal to his duties until the end of his career.
"He is not just a dog, but a colleague who is willing to go through any task with me. Among the biggest successes is when he helped me find the clothes of the suspect in the Baling murder case last year. He managed to find the killer's clothes and case materials and even led to the arrest of the suspect.
"That's proof of how fast and obedient Goran is, he only needs to be given one order," he said.
He said this when met after the PDRM K9 Adoption Handover Programne witnessed by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Technical Support Division (D6) assistant director ACP Zuraimi Zam Zam in Sungei Petani today as reported by Harian Metro.
Goran became the first K9 dog in the country to be handed over to an individual who is qualified to take care of him as a pet after retirement.
Goran's new guardian, Inspector Lee Sheng Wey, 35, from the Serious Crime Investigation Department (D9) of the Perak Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK), said he would take good care of the dog so that it can get used to being a pet.
"I want to give Goran a normal life like any other dog. He can move freely in the house, go out for walks, and not be confined.
"My home is quite spacious, and I also have a few other dogs at home, so we will treat him like our own family.
"If Goran misses the atmosphere of duty, I can turn on the sound of a police siren or give him a space to feel close to his old experiences, Shiva can also come and visit him anytime," he said.
Zuraimi said the programme was being implemented for the first time since the establishment of the K9 Unit in 1968 after receiving official approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) on July 16.
He said that the recruitment of retired K9s would go through strict screening with priority given to the original guardians before being opened to other PDRM members and the public who were truly qualified.
"Throughout his six years of service, Goran contributed a lot to the PDRM and the community.
"Although we were reluctant to part with him, we believe he will live a new life from a detection dog to a loving pet," he said. - September 4, 2025