One of Assam’s sharpest wildlife guard dogs retires

On India's 80th Independence Day, one of Assam's most skilled wildlife guard dogs, Leon, a Belgian Malinois, completed his service. Leon tracked wildlife crime suspects, assisted in anti-poaching operations, and protected the region's precious flora and fauna. His most notable accomplishment was guiding Forest Department and police personnel to a rhino poacher during the 2019 floods, following the suspect's scent trail for nearly 20 km across multiple forest camps and checkpoints.

On August 15, 2026, the Forest Department and police honored Leon with official recognition for his service since November 2018. Leon was a key member of Aaranyak’s K9 Sniffer Dog Squad, working for the Forest Department and police in and around protected areas. He was entrusted with maintaining wildlife crime controls across the 1,302 sq. km.

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Leon underwent a rigorous 12-month specialized training program to become eligible for field duty. Over his career, he conducted more than 200 patrols and participated in over 30 specialized tactical operations, working closely with frontline personnel from the Forest Department and State police.

One of Leon's final missions involved assisting the Assam Police in a high-profile gold theft case in Golaghat town in 2025, showcasing his versatile scent-tracking skills beyond forest boundaries. Leon's handler, Anil Kumar Das, and Mrigen Das, expressed their gratitude for Leon's unwavering dedication and commitment to conservation.