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Published – August 16, 2026 06:56 pm IST – GUWAHATI
Leon, a member of the K9 Sniffer Dog Squad, retired after almost eight years of serving the Assam Forest Department in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, and the State police beyond. Photo: Special Arrangement
One of Assam’s sharpest wildlife guard dogs retired from service on India’s 80th Independence Day.
Leon, a Belgian Malinois, tracked wildlife crime suspects, assisted in anti-poaching operations, and guarded some of Assam’s most precious fauna. The highlight of his career was guiding Assam Forest Department and police personnel to a rhino poacher after following the suspect’s scent trail for nearly 20 km across several forest camps and security checkpoints during the 2019 floods.
On Saturday (August 15, 2026), the Forest Department and police retired Leon with official honours in recognition of his service since joining field duty in November 2018.