In 2008, Sea Shepherd Galapagos, in cooperation with the Ecuadorian National Police, set up – to date – the only police dog unit in Latin America that focuses on detecting illegal wildlife smuggling. Sea Shepherd has been paying all expenses for six police dogs that form this unit, and is now asking DAD to assist them in this project by providing the National Police with veterinary care and medicine.
Report by DAD Veterinarian Dr. Lorelei Wakefield
An update on Luna, the police dog: Two Ecuadorian National Police officers brought her in today following an injury at the airport yesterday. She had been favoring her right hind paw, and they saw a red spot on her foot. She had a superficial interdigital abrasion on her right hind foot. I cleaned the abrasion, and recommended rest (not working) and daily foot soaks in diluted betadine for 3-5 days. I also recommended that she wear dog shoes on that foot until healed, and said to bring her back if it starts to look any worse. At this time, she does not require oral antibiotics.