MOSCOW, June 21 (RAPSI) - Police dogs have helped uncover about 1,500 crimes in Moscow this year, according to Nikolai Zotov, the head of the Moscow Interior Department's canine handler service.

"This year, police dogs have helped uncover about 1,500 crimes, including thefts, attacks, burglaries and murders," he said. "Although dog handlers do not actually investigate crimes - which is done by the criminal police - search and rescue dogs can help uncover crimes. When dog handlers arrive at the scene along with investigators, the dog specialist looks around, speaks with police investigators and eyewitnesses and decides how best dogs can be used to deal with this crime."

Police dogs take part in antiterrorist operations, he said.

"Our dogs and dog handlers are used by various services for their operations. They find explosives and Shakhid belts hidden in buildings. No device ever invented can do this better than a dog," he said.

As many as 600 service dogs help Moscow police maintain law and order, Zotov said, adding that their number needs to increase.