Umhali police dogs homeless

Concerned Dolphin Coast residents are on a mission to rebuild the kennels of the Umhlali SAPS’s K9 unit.
The unit’s hard work last year won them the award for best K9 unit in KZN.
However their crime fighting ability is being hampered by the condition of their kennels, which were recently condemned.
Damp has been seeping through the slab which the kennels are built on, damaging the dogs’ paws. For the time being, the dogs are being housed at Durban Central Police Station overnight. Their handlers fetch them everyday from Durban.
Following the upgrade of the Shongweni K9 unit, which was organised by businesses’ and residents in the area, plans are now in place to do the same in Umhlali and when that is done, at the unit in Empangeni.
Jill Deana, who is leading the project, believes the initiative is vitally important as the K9 unit is invaluable to crime fighting on the Dolphin Coast.
“I have signed a SAPS 505 donation certificate which has been forwarded to the government for approval with urgency. We will have to wait for this before we can put a spade in the ground, but that does not stop us from appealing for donations in the interim,” she said.
Hillcrest resident Ali Maynard, who spearheaded the refurbishment of the Shongweni SAPS’ K9 kennels, said the project would cost around R500 000.
The kennel rebuild will include the demolition of existing brick and mortar dog kennels. A new concrete slab will be laid down with special drainage to a septic tank. New brick and mortar kennels will be built and the floors coated with epoxy paint. Last but not least, a solid perimeter fence will be put up.
Nevil Johnson said the head of the Umhlali K9 unit Captain Snothi Dlamini was very appreciative of the community’s interest in assisting them.
“Remember that dogs need to be on a scent within 30 odd minutes. Having to drive from Durban makes this very difficult.”
According to Deana, a number of local businesses have agreed to support the initiative.
“Plans for the new kennels have been very kindly been dawn up by Danie Botha from DLB Arch Designs with quantities. Costing of the materials and the project has been accurately drawn up by engineer, Richard Hertz. We also have offers of assistance from Mattioda Construction, G2 Construction and SJC Projects. But we still have a long way to go,” said Deana.
“One thing is for sure, we are going to do whatever it takes to get this off the ground as we cannot let the K9 service leave this area. We need our own unit based right here in Umhlali.”
Any persons willing to help please contact Jill Deana on 071 6702878 or Nevil Johnson on 082 807 0131.