TSUCMU: Muslims may not have to undergo sniffer dog checks in UK

This one's delicious. Without question, it's The S[tuff] You Can't Make Up.

Muslims may not have to undergo sniffer dog checks in UK-UK-World-The Times of India

LONDON: Muslim passengers may not be touched by sniffer dogs of the British Transport Police after complaints that the practice is against Islam. According to the religion, dogs are deemed to be spiritually “unclean”. A Transport Department report has raised the prospect that animals should only touch passengers’ luggage because it is considered “more acceptable”, the Daily Express reported. The ban may restrict the efficiency of sniffer dog squads which have been trained to spot terrorists at railway stations. On Thursday night, British Transport Police insisted that it would still use sniffer dogs with any passengers regardless of faith, but handlers would remain aware of “cultural sensitivities”. The Transport Department report follows the trials of station security measures in the wake of the 2005 London suicide bomb attacks. In one trial, certain Muslim women said the use of a body scanner was also unacceptable because it amounted to being forced to strip. During the trials, passengers stopped in London had the exterior of their bags checked by dogs. But in Brighton, dogs patrolled the station concourse and were walked past passengers by their handlers. Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, however, said that even dogs touching baggage would be an issue for a Muslim preparing to pray. But he stressed on the fact that it should be easy to allow dogs to check passengers without physical contact.