Police sniffer dogs in Britain may have to wear bootees when
searching Muslim houses or mosques so as not to cause offence, the Sunday Times
newspaper reported Sunday.
Many Muslims consider dogs unclean and avoid contact with them.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) is drawing up guidelines on
police dogs that will respect cultural sensitivities, the paper reported.
The guidelines are expected to go out to all police forces in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland later this year, dpa reported.
A leading British imam, Ibrahim Mogra, described the bootees as
unnecessary. He told the Sunday Times: "I know in the Muslim community there
is a hang-up against dogs, but this is cultural. Also, we know the British like
dogs; we Muslims should do our bit to change our attitudes."
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