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Sky, a five-year-old Belgian shepherd who previously served as a police arson-detection dog, has been euthanised after her condition deteriorated following catastrophic injuries sustained at the SAPS Veterinary Hospital at Roodeplaat in Pretoria.

The decision was taken after her injuries worsened and veterinarians determined that surgery and anaesthesia were too high risk.

According to information provided to Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron, an open fracture to Sky’s left front leg was complicated by early-stage tissue death. She had also sustained a fracture to her right front leg, with tissue damage reported in that limb.

Cameron said her muscles had suffered extensive damage and were reportedly beginning to break down. Her urine had turned red, raising concerns that her body was no longer coping with the trauma and that organ failure could be developing.

Following consultation with her treating veterinary team, the decision was made to euthanise Sky to prevent further suffering.

Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital is expected to conduct a clinician-led post-mortem examination and compile a formal report on its findings. The report is expected to form part of the investigations into the circumstances surrounding Sky’s death.

How Sky was injured

Sky was found seriously injured in her kennel at the SAPS veterinary facility on Monday morning (September 7).

Information currently available indicates that her left front leg became caught in or against the kennel gate. She reportedly struggled for a prolonged period before she was discovered.

Apart from the leg fractures, she reportedly suffered cuts to her face and other parts of her body and bled extensively.

She was rushed to Onderstepoort for emergency treatment.

Cameron opened a criminal case at Paarl Police Station yesterday (September 8), alleging possible contraventions of Section 2 of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 by those responsible for Sky’s custody, supervision and care.

He has also referred the matter to the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit and the South African Veterinary Council for independent investigation.

The parliamentary committee has raised questions about whether SAPS management acted appropriately despite concerns about Sky’s mental and physical welfare.

Warnings about Sky’s welfare

An official SAPS veterinary certificate dated August 28 reportedly records that Sky had been at Roodeplaat since March after previously injuring her face and legs and tearing teeth from her jaw while attempting to escape from her kennel.

The certificate describes her escape attempts as ‘persistent and compulsive’ and records diagnoses of separation anxiety and severe kennel stress.

It reportedly further states that Sky continued trying to escape when left unattended, that her prognosis in the SAPS environment was poor and that keeping her there compromised her welfare.

According to Cameron, Sky was confined for around 18 hours a day in a small indoor kennel in a room without natural light. This allegedly continued for more than four months.

He said SAPS management had repeatedly been warned about Sky’s behaviour and the risks associated with continued confinement.

“SAPS cannot claim that this danger was unforeseen. Its own veterinary records documented the risk just 10 days before Sky was injured,” he said.

The parliamentary statement about the matter said the allegations must be tested against veterinary evidence, CCTV footage, duty rosters, kennel inspection records and evidence from those responsible for the facility.

SAPS launches investigation

SAPS has confirmed that Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane appointed a senior officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sky’s injuries.

National SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the service was deeply concerned about Sky’s condition.

“Sky is one of our own, having served alongside our members and been entrusted to our care,” Mathe said.

According to SAPS, Sky was no longer an operational K9 and had a history of escaping from kennels at her previous K9 base in Limpopo.

A decision was therefore taken to accommodate her at the Roodeplaat veterinary facility while arrangements were made for her placement with a suitable new owner.

“The donation process was still underway when the incident occurred,” Mathe said.

Dimpane directed that the investigation examine Sky’s accommodation, supervision and care, as well as compliance with applicable procedures and standards.

SAPS said it welcomed the investigation and would co-operate fully.

“It would be premature to attribute negligence or wrongdoing before all the facts have been established,” the service said.

SAPS added that its K9s were part of the SAPS family and deserved to be treated with care, dignity and compassion.

“Should any shortcomings be identified, appropriate action will be taken.”

The police investigation was announced after Cameron laid criminal charges over Sky’s injuries.

NSPCA and veterinary council asked to investigate

Cameron has formally referred the matter to the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit and the South African Veterinary Council.

He has called for an urgent and preferably unannounced inspection of the Roodeplaat veterinary and kennel facility.

Among the matters he wants investigated are the safety of Sky’s kennel, after-hours supervision, veterinary standards and the conduct of those responsible for her care.

Cameron has asked that personnel involved in Sky’s care, including weekend and night-shift staff, facility management and veterinary personnel, be interviewed.

He has further requested that the veterinary evidence establish the nature of Sky’s injuries, their likely causes and duration and whether earlier intervention could have prevented or reduced her suffering.

‘We will not let this go’

Cameron said the purpose of the investigation was not to presume anyone’s guilt, but to ensure that evidence was secured and responsibility established independently.

He said the matter should not be left solely to an internal SAPS investigation.

“The question is simple: Can SAPS be trusted to operate an animal hospital if it cannot demonstrate that animals in its care are properly monitored and protected?” Cameron said.

He also stressed that the matter was not an attack on SAPS dog handlers.

“This is an accountability issue concerning the systems and senior management responsible for protecting animals placed in the care of the state,” he said.

“We will not let this go.”

The NSPCA had not responded to queries by the time of publication. Its comment will be included once received.

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