Shelter dogs could end up joining the police force if they qualify to enter a rigorous K-9 training programme that could help deal with hooliganism at sports games.

Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou says he is ready to meet with animal welfare groups to discuss the possibility of dogs joining the police programme as long as they meet certain criteria based on age, breed, and other characteristics. But the training programme won’t start anytime soon, as studies are still underway to determine all the pros and cons, including how effective K-9 unit would be at sports stadiums and arenas throughout the island.

Nicolaou was responding to a letter sent by Greens MP George Perdikis in which he reassured everyone that all stakeholders will be invited to weigh in on the issue, including animal groups.

Nicolaou visited the British Bases last year where he was shown a drill exercise of police dogs being used to help marshal and also engage against acts of violence.

“Due to the fact that these kinds of violent acts are a frequent phenomena on the island, the police is looking into the prospect of using police dogs to help quash the problem of hooliganism at sports games,” said Nicolaou. “This could be a fundamental tool in the battle against hooliganism and is a method already being used in countries abroad.”

The study is also set to determine the number of dogs that would need to be used and how and where these animals would be trained.

The possibility of shelter or unwanted dogs joining the K-9 programme is a new development and would be unprecedented for Cyprus, where a lot of animal abuse goes on.