WATCH: Shot police dog airlifted to Hilton for emergency surgery

One of the dogs killed was veteran police dog ‘Simba’, hailed by police as a hero for helping save the lives of officers attending the scene.

One of the injured dogs was airlifted to Hilton Veterinary Hospital for emergency surgery and is in a stable condition. The dog sustained a shot to his head.

At around 9am this morning police acting on information tracked suspects enroute from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.

Policeman rushes dog who was shot on duty to Hilton vet

Video courtesy: Rowena of Hilton Veterinary. 

The suspects were implicated in the murder of a senior Durban policeman recently. The armed men fled into the bushes and members of the Mountain Rise (Pietermaritzburg) Dog unit as well as dog units from Shongweni and Durban arrived to provide support.

Captain Reeno Dayaram released his dog Simba to track the suspects into the dense bush. As Simba tackled one of the suspects he sustained several fatal gunshot wounds.

The suspects continued firing on the dogs and the police with two more dogs sustaining gunshot injuries. It is believed that a second dog succumbed to injuries at the scene. Police returned fire and three of the four suspects were killed at the scene.

“If it wasn’t for Simba and the other dogs many officers including the handlers could have been killed today. Those three dogs took a bullet for each of their handlers. It is an incredibly sad day for all the handlers and members who attended the scene,” said one of the visibly distraught dog unit members.

Simba who has been in active service for most of his 12 year life has earned near legendary status nationally for his distinguished service alongside handler Captain Reeno Dayaram having apprehended hundreds of dangerous suspects.

The duo have been recognised with numerous bravery and service awards.

“Simba was the best dog in the country.The only thing that Simba could not do was drive,” one of Captain Dayaram’s colleagues.

This is a developing story.