Police in GTA 6 have gotten a major overhaul, with a far smarter, more responsive, and tactical presence that makes them an actual threat to work around and escape. They’re equipped with plenty of firepower, vehicles, and traps, but they also have man’s best friend on their side. Yes, police actually employ K9 units in GTA 6, and here is everything we know about them.
K9 Units in GTA 6
The police force in GTA 6 employs K9 units to assist them during pursuits, particularly when players attempt to flee on foot.
In the EDGE cover story for GTA 6, Rockstar North’s head of development, Rob Nelson, presented gameplay footage featuring a pursuit where Jason and Lucia were fleeing on a motorcycle. Nelson failed to spot a stinger strip laid across the road, causing the motorcycle’s front tyre to blow and sending the couple flying over the handlebars.
After getting back on their feet, the two attempted to escape on foot, but a nearby K9 unit quickly joined the pursuit. The Alsatian closed the distance almost immediately and pinned Jason to the ground.
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We know that the K9 unit in the demonstration was an Alsatian (German Shepherd). There may be other breeds employed by the police, but Rockstar hasn’t confirmed any others yet. Alsatians are also a common choice for police work in the real world.
Can You Fight Back Against K9 Units in GTA 6?
We don’t know exactly how players will be able to deal with K9 units in GTA 6, but the EDGE demonstration has an interesting clue. When the Alsatian pinned Jason to the ground, Nelson appeared to have the option to shoot the dog. However, everyone watching the presentation urged him not to. Bless their hearts.
This does suggest that players may be able to fight back against police dogs, though it’s unclear whether there will be other ways to escape them or whether attacking a K9 unit will carry any consequences, especially on the Criminal Profile.
Don’t worry though, not all dogs are violent in GTA 6. NPCs across Leonida have all sorts of pet dogs walking beside them, and Jason can pet or scold them if they allow it.
Rockstar clearly wants police chases to be more involved this time around. With narrower streets, plenty of alleys to duck into, and smarter cops who won’t just give up after losing sight of you, escaping won’t always be as simple as flooring it and hoping for the best. And now, you have to worry about a dog chasing you down if you decide to make a run for it on foot.
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About the author
Ali Hashmi has been playing Grand Theft Auto since the original game and has followed Rockstar Games ever since. Whether it's replaying GTA 4 for the tenth time, getting lost in Red Dead Redemption 2, or revisiting classics like Manhunt, L.A. Noire, Max Payne 3, and even Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis, he's always found something to appreciate in the studio's catalog. With more than eight years of games journalism experience, he now covers GTA 6 for GTA 6 Bible, writing news, guides, features, and retrospective pieces about Rockstar's games. His work has also appeared on Prima Games, Dot Esports, WhatIfGaming, GameTyrant, and The OuterHaven.
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