Beijing unleashes 650 police dogs as part of anti-terror crackdown

Hundreds of canines are serving at the front line of anti-terrorism in Beijing as the city boosts its security in response to growing threats.

Beijing police has dispatched 650 K9 police dogs to patrol the streets.

Traditionally K9 units mostly only carry out duties at security checks such as airports and railway stations to detect illicit or hazardous items. But Beijing police are now giving the dogs a more aggressive role in combating potential terrorists.

The dogs are said to be trained to go after specific parts of a suspect’s body under police officers’ instructions, according to The Beijing News.

And once unleashed, they are able to tear along at speeds up to 40km/h.

“No one can get away. That’s for sure,” one of the officials was quoted as saying.