26/11 canine hero 'Tiger' passes away

A retired police dog named 'Tiger', who helped police officials in detecting bombs during the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai and was on duty for several days outside the Taj hotel in Colaba, has passed away.

The 26/11 hero was yesterday laid to rest in a farmhouse he was living in post-retirement. Tiger, the black Labrador, was suffering from lung infection.

Fizzah Shah, animal activist, whose Fizzah Farms in Virar was home to four 26/11 sniffer dogs-Max, Sultan, Tiger and Caesar, said the dog was on regular treatment for lung infection but its condition worsened on Friday night.

"It was the most beautiful experience of my life to have our brave soldiers in my farm. I am fortunate," she told ANI.

Shah also recalled after Tiger's childhood buddy and colleague Sultan passed away in the farm, Tiger became lonely.

Tiger, the Labrador was attached to the bomb detection dog squad at Goregaon, which also comprised of Max, Caesar and Tiger. Max had died in April this year.

"After Sultan went away, Tiger got very depressed. When Max went away, these three used to roam around his grave. Caesar is also not keeping well these days. When Tiger died, Caesar just sat down and he was not ready to get up," she said.

Caesar is the only sniffer dog of the 26/11 Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) team left in the farm.

Tiger was given a dignified burial in the Virar farms itself.

Tiger's funeral was performed in Mumbai with full state honours. The funeral was attended by other dogs, who stayed in the farm with Tiger, including Caesar.

On November 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorist entered Mumbai from the Arabian sea front and went on a carnage killing and injuring a total of 466 people.