26/11 Mumbai terror attack’s last hero Caesar passes away after prolonged illness

Caesar, the famed sniffer dog of Mumbai police who saved several lives during the 26/11 terror attacks, died on Thursday at a farm in Virar.

Eleven-year-old Caesar was the sole surviving police dog from a quartet which served during the 26/11 attack. His fellow dog squad colleagues Tiger, Sultan and Max passed away in the past few months.

After his buddy Tiger’s death, he went into depression and was admitted in Parel’s animal hospital in June.

After treatment he was sent back to animal activist Fizzah Shah’s farm in Virar where he spent his life in retirement, said DCP Ashok Dudhe, police spokesperson.

He died of a heart attack.

“The brave, alert and efficient Caesar will be remembered fondly for his services. An emotional moment for all of us,” Mumbai police commissioner Datta Padsalgikar said in his tribute on Twitter.

The retired Labrador was a part of Mumbai police’s Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) from 2005 to 2013.

During the terror attacks in Mumbai which started on November 26, 2008, Caesar saved several lives when he sniffed out two hand grenades left by the terrorists at the busy CST railway station.

Caesar was also a part of search team at Nariman House, where terrorists were holed up for three days.

Earlier he was also pressed into service for bomb-search operation after the 2006 serial train blasts and July 2011 serial blasts in Mumbai.