GAUTENG. – Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, acting national police commissioner, has appointed a senior officer to investigate the circumstances of police dog Sky's injury. The service dog was injured at the Roodeplaat training centre. Ian Cameron, DA-LP and chairperson of the police portfolio committee, has laid criminal charges.
According to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, national police spokesperson, the police are concerned about Sky's injury. She is one of the police, who serves alongside members and is entrusted to their care. Her wellbeing remains a priority and she is currently receiving the necessary care and attention.
Sky is no longer operational and has a history of escapes from the dog kennels at her previous base in Limpopo. A decision was consequently made to accommodate her at the veterinary facility, while arrangements were made for her placement with a suitable new owner. The donation process was still underway when the incident occurred. An investigation will be conducted into her injury, accommodation, supervision, care and the compliance with applicable procedures and standards. The police welcome the investigation and will fully cooperate. It would be premature to attribute negligence or misconduct before all the facts have been established. The immediate focus remains on Sky's recovery and ensuring she receives the care she needs.
Cameron says Sky, a Belgian Shepherd dog who worked as an arson detection dog for the police, reportedly suffered severe "kennel anxiety" and management was allegedly warned repeatedly that continued confinement posed a risk to her. Cameron says Sky was seriously injured on Monday after her leg became trapped in the kennel gate. She sustained multiple fractures, including an open fracture and lacerations to her face and leg. She lost a lot of blood and was taken to Onderstepoort for emergency treatment. Cameron has referred the matter to the NDBV and the South African Veterinary Council. They have been requested to investigate the facility, kennel safety, after-hours supervision, veterinary standards and the conduct of those responsible for Sky's care.
Cameron says the focus is on establishing whether management ignored warnings and failed to fulfil their responsibility towards the animal. He says if the evidence justifies prosecution, no one should be protected because of their rank.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
