Sniffer dogs now in bootees

[Cato]

Mail on Sunday:  Police sniffer dogs to wear bootees during house searches to avoid offending Muslims

By Graham Smith
Last updated at 8:38 AM on 07th July 2008


Sniffer dogs may have to start wearing bootees when they are used by police to search Muslim homes so that they do not cause offence, it has emerged.

A recommendation initially drawn up to cover police searches of mosques where dogs are fitted with leather bootees is now said to have been extended to Muslim homes.

Under proposals from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the bootees would be used when the occupants objected to the search on religious grounds.

Dogs' saliva is considered to be unclean or impure in Islamic teaching and it is forbidden to keep the animals as pets.
 
Police officers will only use sniffer dogs to search a Muslim property in exceptional circumstances and the bootees would only cover their paws.

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An Apco spokesperson said, 'We are trying to ensure that police forces are aware of sensitivities that people can have with the dogs to make sure they are not going against any religious or cultural element within people's homes.

'It is being addressed and forces are working towards doing it.'

Last week, some Muslims raised objections over being searched by explosive-detecting sniffer dogs at Brighton train station.

The Muslims reported that it was not permissible for them to have direct contact with dogs due to their religious or cultural beliefs.


Leading imam Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra told The Sunday Times, 'In Islamic law the dog is not regarded as impure, only its saliva is. Most Islamic schools of law agree on that.

'If security measures require to send a dog into a house, then it has to be done. I think Apco needs to consult better and more widely.

'I know in the Muslim community there is a hang-up against dogs, but this is cultural.

'Also, we know the British like dogs; we Muslims should do out bit to change out attitudes.'

The Campaign Against Political Correctness' John Midgley said, 'The police are in effect being overly sensitive to potential criminals and not being enough to the public at large who need to be protected.'