Karnataka Police’s star member, Geetha who passed away on Saturday was give full State honours before her cremation yesterday. The 11-year-old labrador retriever, who served the force for more than 11 years was born on May 21, 2011 and died following a prolonged illness.

Geetha joined Mangaluru Police Department’s Crime Detective Canine Squad on August 19, 2011 as an explosive sniffer dog after completing a one-year training at Bengaluru.

Harish, Head Constable and Geetha’s handler who had been taking care of her since she joined the squad told Mangalorean.com: “It was a lovable and obedient dog. She assisted us in cracking nearly 800 cases in sniffing for explosives, bombs etc. Geetha will be sadly missed, and it is a great loss to the canine squad.”

As per ANI, Geetha was deployed extensively for security and explosive detection work during VVIP visits and other huge public gatherings in the State.

Describing her as an indispensable part of the force, Dinesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime and Traffic said she helped in solving several cases. “Geetha had been a vital part of the Mangaluru Commissionerate police dog squad and her trainer Harish and other squad team members will miss her.”