The Commission on Audit (COA) has warned of a possible shortage of service dogs for the Philippine National Police (PNP) Explosive Ordnance Division and K-9 Unit, as 304 dogs are expected to retire or become unserviceable from 2026 to 2030.

According to the report of RH Val Gonzales, in its 2025 annual audit report, the COA said the PNP currently has 347 serviceable dogs, falling short of its ideal requirement of 510 by 163.

The number could drop to just 43 dogs by 2030, with no protection dogs and only one combat tracking dog remaining, potentially affecting bomb and drug detection and search and rescue operations.

The PNP is procuring 148 additional dogs worth more than P19.1 million, but the purchase, approved on March 17, 2026, has been delayed due to the finalization of testing parameters.