Ahmedabad Customs to build memorial for sniffer dog Hooty who helped crack over 450 cases

Ahmedabad Airport Customs has decided to build a memorial in honour of Hooty, a Labrador sniffer dog credited with helping officials detect and solve more than 450 smuggling and customs-related cases during over a decade of service.

According to customs officials, Hooty, who served with the airport customs department from 2013 until his retirement in May 2022, died on May 27 following a brief illness. He was buried with full honours on May 28 in a garden near the customs office close to Gandhi Bridge in Ahmedabad.

Officials said a memorial plaque will now be installed at the burial site to commemorate the canine's contribution to customs enforcement.

Hooty was trained at the customs dog training centre in Attari, near Amritsar in Punjab, before being inducted into service at Ahmedabad airport. During his career, he played a key role in detecting contraband and assisting customs officers in hundreds of cases.

A Labrador retriever, Hooty served for nearly 12 years and was widely regarded as one of the most successful sniffer dogs deployed by the department.

Following his retirement in 2022, Hooty was handed over to his longtime handler, Pramod Parmar. Customs officials continued to bear the dog's maintenance and medical expenses after retirement.

Officials said Hooty's strong bond and coordination with Parmar significantly contributed to his operational success and helped the team achieve a high detection rate over the years.

Labradors typically have a lifespan of 14 to 15 years. Customs officials described Hooty's service as exemplary and said the proposed memorial would serve as a lasting tribute to his contribution to the department and public service.