Police Dogs Blessed in Philippines

Philippine police dogs received a blessing from a church in Manila on Sunday to protect them from dangers while on duty. A priest read Bible scriptures and sprinkled holy water on a dozen Labradors retrievers and German shepherds from Manila’s bomb and rescue squads. The blessing comes ahead of World Animals’ Day on Oct 4. Police said they brought the bomb-sniffing dogs to church to boost their handlers’ morale and ask for “divine protection.” They said dogs deployed in police operations face extreme dangers and that canines are the first to be exposed to potentially explosive devices.