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Died – 4/8/16
Hero dog Max dies
Max, a retired Mumbai police sniffer dog who helped save countless lives by detecting bombs during the 26/11 terror attacks, died on Friday. He was 15 years old. Police officials said tMax was part of a Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad unit deployed during 26/11 and found an Improvised Explosive Device and a hand grenade at the time. After his retirement in 2015, Max, along with three other retired sniffer dogs, was in the care of animal lover Fiza Shah and was staying in her home in Virar. Ms Shah had adopted Max, along with Ceaser, Tiger and Sultan after prolonged efforts in May last year. The police said Max died of old age at around 6 pm. Max the sniffer dog who saved hundreds of lives by detecting 8 kg of RDX outside Taj Mahal Palace Hotel during the 26/11 attacks died at a Virar farm, his retirement home, on Friday. He had been in poor health for a week. Despite his gallant service to Mumbai — Max also found explosives at the sites of 2011 Zaveri Bazaar blasts and 7/11 attacks — not a single police officer was present when he was laid to rest wrapped in the Tricolour. Most of the officers Mirror contacted were busy with security arrangements for the upcoming IPL matches. Only the white Labrador’s carer, Fizzah Shah, and former handler Subhash Gawde bid him final farewell. Max was born on October 28, 2004. He was only a puppy when Mumbai’s Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad bought him. He spent the next eight months with his handler and was later sent to a training centre in Pune. He was formally inducted into the squad in 2005. Almost immediately, the canine impressed his human seniors. Gawde was Max’s handler when 10 Pakistani terrorists struck at Mumbai’s famous landmarks on November 26, 2008. “After I got a call from the control room, I rushed to the Taj with Max,” Gawde said. Amid the sounds of gunfire and explosions, they began inspecting unattended bags near the hotel gate. Max stopped near a tree and started barking, pointing towards a sling bag hidden behind a huge water bowl for birds. “When I opened the bag, I found 8 kg of RDX, four detonators, ball bearings and other shrapnel. They were the first explosives detected at the site,” Gawde said. “After the explosives were secured and put away, we entered the hotel. Just then, one of the terrorists threw a grenade from a floor above us. It missed us and exploded next to us. It’s a miracle we were not wounded.” Max found around 25 grenades in the hotel reception area. He was awarded a gold medal for his bravery during the carnage. Amitabh Bachchan placed the medal on Max, according to Gawde.
The hero Labrador retired last year after 10 years of distinguished service. Shah then adopted him and three other bomb squad dogs, and took them to her 4-acre farm in Virar, where 400 animals, many of them rescued, are cared for. The farm staff said Max’s favourite food was chicken and rice. “Max was a part of my heart. I don’t know how I will deal with his loss,” said Shah, who has been caring for animals for years now. Gawde also broke down during the funeral on Friday. “I was introduced to Max when he was a two-month-old puppy. He was very playful and friendly with everyone. He grew up to be a disciplined soldier,” he said. But no cops attended the funeral. “We would have gone there had we not been busy with the IPL bandobast. Max’s handler was at the funeral and he represented all of us,” said inspector Salim Bagwan of the bomb disposal squad. Another former handler, M Sutar, was also occupied with the arrangements at the Wankhede. Kiran Shelar, additional police commissioner (protection branch), said: “I am out of town otherwise I would have been there. These dogs are like our children. I have always asked bomb squad officers to ensure that the dogs are taken care of and are given nutritious food. We are extremely proud of Max and thankful for his service to the nation. He was among the bravest of our force.”
