Police dog Yaoyaoling Photo: Courtesy of Chuxiong Public Security Bureau
A weekly report from the police dog training base in Chuxiong, Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, went viral online. It humorously “criticized” four police dogs for misconduct such as “urinating on fellow dogs’ beds,” “not liking to bathe,” and “being lethargic at work but full of charm off duty.” The dogs quickly became internet sensations, with netizens charmed by the “mischievous” canines.
This report, while humorous and playful, serves as a lighthearted way to express training requirements and allows the outside world to gain a more detailed understanding of the daily work and management style of police dog training, as well as the bonds between them and their handlers.
Police dogs are not only valuable assets for law enforcement, but are also “silent warriors” protecting public safety, with their hard work and dedication sometimes going unnoticed.
“In the past, the public could only get close to the police dog team during events like open days at the base. But now, social media has played a significant role in promoting the public’s understanding and recognition of police dogs, their handlers, and the police force’s work,” Hou Weijing, from the Publicity Department of Chuxiong Public Security Bureau, told the Global Times.
It also allows celebrity police dogs to become a kind of ambassador, bringing the police force closer to the public, encouraging them to learn more about the team, Hou added.
Mischief and mastery
In the weekly report that humorously “criticized” four police dogs, Yaoyaoling (which means one one zero, the emergency number in the Chinese mainland), a Kunming dog, was accused of “urinating on fellow dogs’ beds.” King Kong, a Belgian Malinois, was criticized for being unhygienic and not taking baths. When taken to bathe, the dog is said to have scratched the groomer, resulting in a compensation worth 500 yuan ($68.26). Feitian, an English Springer Spaniel, was condemned for instigating fights with coworkers during a training session. Whereas the fourth dog named Lightning, also a Belgian Malinois, was accused of “being lethargic at work but full of charm off duty,” and according to the report, “repeated persuasion was ineffective.”
Yaoyaoling, who turned one in early January, joined the force at 7 months old. Yet Yaoyaoling has been criticized for wrongdoing in weekly reports by the training base for four consecutive weeks, according to the Chuxiong Public Security Bureau WeChat account. On Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo, Yaoyaoling’s hilarious antics have garnered 130 million views.
“If Yaoyaoling could speak, he would probably boast to the other dogs about how fast he runs, how strong his legs are, and how much I love him. He would also complain about being afraid of needles and not liking the Rottweiler in the neighboring dorm, who barks at him every day through the wall,” its handler Li Shurong told the Global Times.
Though an occasional troublemaker, Yaoyaoling is exceptionally diligent at work, with an active nature that sets him apart from other tracking dogs, along with quick adaptability to different environments to track suspects in vast mountain forests, said Li.
In just five months on the job, Yaoyaoling has already independently assisted police officers in two rescue missions and four suspect pursuits. With netizens jokingly commenting on Sina Weibo, “Great achievements with minor troubles; and the good outweighs the bad – he’s still a good boy!”
Challenging stereotypes
With the weekly report sparking discussion online, it shows the public is very interested in the police dogs’ work. The lively and mischievous side of the police dogs has challenged some of the stereotypes the public may have had about them, helping the public learn more and gain a new perspective on the entire police team.
“We conduct monthly performance evaluations for the dogs, a practice we have maintained for several years. By using such weekly reports to highlight areas where the dogs need further training, we are able to remind handlers and adjust training directions in a timely manner,” said Hou.
Fuzai, corgi, in Weifang, East China’s Shandong Province is another police dog celebrity. As China’s first corgi police dog, Fuzai’s stubby legs, wide grin, and wagging tail have made him a social media sensation, since he made his debut in March 2024 and began official duty in October. Also drawing attention from international media, Fuzai’s rise to fame is a lighthearted contrast to the typically stern image of police dogs, furthering public interest in them and their training.
Police dog Fuzai Photo: Courtesy of VCG
His handler Zhao Qingshuai, who has been with Fuzai for over a year, told the Global Times that as an explosive detection dog, Fuzai has made rapid progress not only in scent detection but also in successfully navigating obstacle course set for him and even many of the larger ones meant for bigger dogs.
“Fuzai’s popularity has brought the police and the public closer together. It has not only helped people understand our work but has also promoted Weifang to the country and even to the world,” said Zhao.
Meanwhile, the celebrity police dogs have highlighted to the public the special bonds between the K-9 force and their handlers. In Taiyuan, North China’s Shanxi, Xiaomi, a Malinois, whose main duties are patrolling and explosive detection, has gained more than 390,000 followers on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, as a video of her following her handler’s every step, warmed netizens’ hearts, garnering over 1.45 million likes and more than 36,000 comments.
“When working, she is very focused and serious. In daily life, Xiaomi is quite clingy and active. As a handler, my greatest pride is having a police dog like Xiaomi, both cute and intelligent. My hope for Xiaomi is that she stays healthy and happy. If one day she retires, I hope she can live a life with less work and without worries,” Xiaomi’s handler, who is surnamed Yang, told the Global Times.
Police dog Xiaomi Photo: Courtesy of her handler
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