Police have paid tribute to one of the top dogs in the SAPS’ Lephalale K9 unit in Limpopo.

According to SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Bina, a seven-year-old Belgian shepherd, was found dead in her kennel after being killed by a python on Saturday.

Bina was trained at the Roodeplaat Dog School in Pretoria in June 2019 as a narcotic detector dog.

“She established herself as one of the top dogs in the SAPS Lephalale K9 unit and assisted in solving drug-related cases in Limpopo.

“Just before her death, Bina helped in the arrest of three suspects found with crystals, nyaope and cat worth an estimated R75 000,” says Ledwaba.

She was taken to Roodeplaat Vet for a post-mortem.

“These dogs have the ability to go into places that a human would not be able to; they have the ability to detect incriminating items or items with evidential value just by using their senses.

“They are part of the SAPS family. It is a big loss to the unit and the province. Rest well, Bina,” says Hadebe.