Police Dog Trial raises money for Operation Santa Claus and SPCA

Police dogs do a better job of crowd control than their human colleagues, says Constable Cora Ng from the Police Dog Unit.

Ng's canine partner Ray, a four-year-old Belgian shepherd she has handled for more than three years, was good at calming down drunken and agitated men at scenes of confrontation in Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai, where the pair from the Hong Kong Island Emergency Unit stations often find themselves.

"It gives me a sense of satisfaction when Ray, under my guidance, prevents fights or confrontations from escalating," Ng said, adding that dogs had an advantage over human officers as their loud bark could end any commotion on the street and their presence acted as a deterrent to some people.

Patrol dogs sometimes also double as drug detection dogs, searching flats or at border control checkpoints.

Having demonstrated exceptional obedience and agility, Ray was selected as a member of the unit's performance team and at yesterday's Police Dog Trial at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground.

Seven dogs vied for honours in two championships at the event, showing off their obedience and man-work skills.