Putin’s pooch to be tracked by satellite

17 October, 2008, 17:48

Prime Minister Putin's pet dog has been equipped with his own satellite tracking collar to promote the new GLONASS system, which Russia hopes will rival America's GPS.

Losing a dog or cat is every pet owner’s worst nightmare. Now Russian scientists say they can reduce the risk of that happening – using a satellite tracking collar.

The spy in the sky will help owners track their dogs. Vladimir Putin's favourite labrador Connie was the first to have been equipped with the new device.

“She's wagging her tail, that means she likes it,” Putin said about his pet.

The lightweight collar, which then President Vladimir Putin requested in December 2007, even has a special energy saving mode when the animal isn't moving.

The dog's collar uses the newly-available Russian Global Navigation Satellite System, or GLONASS for short. It was launched more than 25 years ago as a military project, but now it's been converted to civilian use.

Russia should be fully covered by GLONASS by the end of the year, and when the system goes global, it is supposed to rival the U.S.-made GPS, providing users with highly accurate navigation tools.