Pennant of the canine unit at Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Center, approx. 1980, 53.5 × 22.0 × 12.3 cm, synthetic fabric and transparent film, wood and brass. KIT Archives 28506/37.
In 1976, security measures at Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Center were significantly intensified in response to heightened protests against nuclear power and rising concerns about terrorist acts by the Red Army Faction. In addition to expanding fencing systems and intensifying access controls, the security staff was armed and supported by a canine unit. The canine unit was responsible for patrolling the entire premises and particularly the nuclear facilities requiring special security, such as Research Reactor FR 2. Security personnel worked four shifts a day, with six dog handlers and their dogs assigned to each shift. Each handler had one dog, which they took care of on site. The animals were housed in kennels outside the center grounds near the south fence. The facility comprised 30 garages joined together by a corridor, with indoor and outdoor areas provided for the dogs. Service-dog handling was trained by the police, with final examinations conducted by the head of training at the Nuclear Research Center. He also selected the dogs, only allowing the purchase of adult, trained animals. In 1988, the squadron expanded from 10 to 20 dogs. The handlers also participated in competitions, when pennants like the one shown here were used as souvenirs and for networking with other competitors. These pennants were also displayed in the canine unit staff rooms. As the intensity of protests diminished, so did the perceived threat to the Nuclear Research Center. The canine unit was disbanded on December 1, 1994. as
Humans were not the only ones to take care of law and order at that time, which I would like to remember here! The canine unit was an important component of the security services on the premises of Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Center (KfK). They were trained inside the KfK and added enormously to the security. Emanuel Bronka