Chinese police academy auctions off dogs dropped from training for their 'cowardice' and 'curly ears'

A police academy in China is set to auction off dogs who dropped out of training due to 'cowardice', 'lack of athletic ability' or 'curly ears'.

Fifty-four dogs, mostly German shepherds, are being offered at a starting price of about £22 by the academy in China's northeastern Liaoning province.

Prospective owners can pick up their pooches as soon as their bid is accepted, after the auction starts on July 7, a statement on the academy's website read.

All of the dogs being auctioned failed to qualify for training, due to undesirable physical or personality traits.

The academy said most were disqualified for 'cowardice' while some others failed to bite when instructed, 'lacked athletic ability' or simply weren't up to scratch when it came to fetching.

Some of the hounds, which also include Belgian Malinois and a few Dutch Shepherd hybrids, were dropped for being too small, having 'weak limbs' or even for their 'curly ears'.

A police academy in China is set to auction off dogs who dropped out of training due to 'cowardice', 'lack of athletic ability' or 'curly ears'

Fifty-four dogs, most German shepherds, are being offered at a starting price of about £22 by the academy in China's northeastern Liaoning province

Winning bidders must sign an agreement not to resell the dog and to 'comply with the local government's rules on dog ownership and keep the dog in a civilised manner,' the police academy's statement read.

In an apparent bid to deter any potential buyers seeking to profit from the dogs, the statement also emphasised that authorities may be able to track the whereabouts of the dogs 'because even the trainees have tracing chips implanted'.

As of 2020, the department had more than 700 police dogs, but said around 15 per cent of trainees fail their exams.

Those that are successful go on to assist officers with criminal investigations, patrolling and drug enforcement.

While the auctions happen several times a year, the latest has drawn attention on social media, with users commiserating with the failed trainees on Chinese site Weibo.   

'There's so much pressure and such fierce competition to get a government job, even for dogs,' one user wrote.

'When bringing the dogs back home, please make sure not to tell your neighbours that they failed the test,' another posted. 'Just imagine how you feel when your parents tell others that you failed your test when applying for schools.'

As of 2020, the department had more than 700 police dogs, but said around 15 per cent of trainees fail their exams

All of the dogs being auctioned failed to qualify for training, due to undesirable physical or personality traits