They say that every dog has its day and for Boris of the Vryheid K9 Unit, that day was last Wednesday.
As a serial rape suspect attempted to flee, Boris sank his teeth in.
The suspect is wanted in connection with at least 16 counts of rape, as well as charges of robbery, breaking and entering, theft and the possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Police officials have been in hot pursuit of this career criminal since his arrest in December 2017.
At the time, he was released after the charges against him were withdrawn, but a series of rape cases reported this year, led to a manhunt by a team incorporating the Ulundi Public Order Policing (POP) Unit, Vryheid Tracing Team, Zululand Task Team, Vryheid K9 Unit and Vryheid Crime Intelligence Unit, led by Warrant Officer Jethro Khumalo. Also part of the team is Boris, who joined the Vryheid K9 Unit at the end of November 2018.
Also read: Alleged Vryheid serial rapist brought down
Information received by police led the search team to the Vryheid dumpsite, but the suspect was tipped off when the police dogs were let loose and managed to evade capture.
Police received further intel he had been hiding in Lakeside, but had since left the area.
Last Wednesday afternoon at approximately 4.30pm however, the team received a lead suggesting their slippery suspect was hiding at a homestead in the Mooiplaas area.
This time, his luck had run out.
As the police officials closed in on him, the suspect made another escape attempt and Boris’s handler, Constable Hlophe from the Vryheid K9 Unit, called out a warning that he would release the brave police hound.
The suspect chose to run and Boris did what he was trained to do.
Also read: PREVIEW: Vryheid serial rapist captured after he stole a car
In what has been described by his handler as a glorious tackle, Boris sank his teeth into the suspect’s calf, successfully bringing him down after which the arrest was made. The suspect was searched and found in possession of three live rounds of 9mm ammunition.
“I trust him a lot,” smiled Constable Hlophe, as he elaborated briefly on his relationship with Boris.
Also read: Why dogs have been man’s best friend for thousands of years
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