Feline officer reporting to duty at the Chikkaballapura rural police station
The white, one-and-a-half-year-old male cat has spent the past 6-7 months patrolling police station, keeping an eye on its most persistent intruders: rats.
Police said the rats began damaging important records, including copies of complaints, FIRs and evidence sheets, apart from other property seized during investigations. The male cat was brought to the station about six to seven months ago and, according to personnel, has since helped bring the rat population under control. Chikkaballapura : At the Chikkaballapura rural police station, one of the newest and most effective guards does not wear a uniform. The arrangement began after police personnel found themselves struggling with a growing rodent menace at the station that had threatened documents, records and seized property. maintaining law and order and safeguarding the property of citizens, the cat has been entrusted with protecting what lies within police station itself While police are tasked with protecting public property. Initially, police personnel noticed only a couple of rats and did not consider them a major problem. But their numbers steadily increased. Soon, the rodents were being spotted across the station, including near computers and tables, inside and around almirahs and even behind photo frames. The damage gave the personnel a problem that conventional policing methods could not easily solve. Police then turned to a more traditional solution: a cat. Rats, which once appeared to have free access to different corners of the station, have now almost disappeared. The cat has also become something of a permanent resident. Police personnel regularly offer it milk, biscuits and bread, and the animal has gradually become a pet at the station.