Two police patrol dogs, Baggio and Zitta, were honoured at an open award ceremony organised by a non-governmental organisation last month following the similar success of three of their 'colleagues' at the same competition last year.

Five-year-old Baggio has teamed up with its handler, Police Constable Hung Fi-lok, for over three years, and has taken part in as many as 98 cases of different natures.

PC Hung told OffBeat that he always remembers how an explosive situation was defused as soon as he and Baggio arrived at a crime scene late in an evening. "Calmness returned to the scene and all trouble-makers suddenly turned co-operative when they realised the police meant business in discharging their duties," he recalled.

PC Hung, now with the Emergency Unit of Kowloon West Region, is very pleased that his "partner" has been honoured at the Hong Kong Outstanding Animals Awards 2007 organised by Dr Pet. On life with Baggio after work, he added: "Police dogs also need a healthy lifestyle. So I often take him to the countryside and let him run around to exercise his muscles."

Also honoured at the competition was six-year-old Zitta stationed at Tai Po District with her handler, Senior Police Constable Law Kwok-wah.

Just as many people are engaged in continuous education, police dogs are no different. Zitta graduated from a training course on searching for explosives on September 28, acquiring another useful skill.

Having partnered with Zitta for five years, SPC Law said: "Although Zitta is small in size, she is very agile and strong, and is never afraid of people much bigger than her. I still remember how she stopped and kept two burly illegal immigrants at bay in a park."

Acting Chief Inspector Mike Ng in charge of the Police Dogs Unit pointed out that the two pairs' good teamwork and devotion to duty have led to arrests for a variety of offences, including attempted robberies, attempted burglaries, fighting, and possession of false instruments.

Baggio (right) with his "partner", PC Hung Fi-lok, and Zitta with SPC Law Kwok-wah