Canine units deployed at Rome subways

(ANSA) - Rome, February 25 - Four canine units made their debut at three of Rome's busiest and most crime-ridden subway stations on Wednesday.
    The canine units hired by ATAC public transport company were deployed along with their handlers from Mib Security Service private contractors at the Colosseo, Spagna, and Termini stations.
    The dogs will help their handlers police the stations, where they will be on hand for 10-hour shifts. Canine units may be deployed next at Flaminio, Ottaviano, and Piramide stations, ATAC sources said.
    The dogs' job is to make passengers feel more secure while alerting their handlers to potential danger, said Mib Security Service chief Amedeo Pantanella.
    "They will never be off leash and are trained not to bite, but rather to give head butts," he explained.
    "They are otherwise gentle and can be petted".