GAUTENG – The police service dog Sky has died after suffering catastrophic injuries while confined at the police veterinary hospital at Roodeplaat, prompting renewed questions about her care, supervision and the handling of repeated warnings about her welfare.

Sky was euthanised on Wednesday (9 September) after her condition deteriorated severely overnight.

According to MP and Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron, the open fracture to Sky’s left front leg had caused tissue in the limb to begin dying, while the skin on her right front leg had also started dying.

“I have been informed that the open fracture to her left front leg had caused tissue in the limb to begin dying. She also had a fracture to her right front leg, where the skin had started dying,” Cameron said.

He said Sky had suffered extensive muscle damage, while her urine had turned red, indicating that her body could no longer cope and that there was a strong suspicion that her organs were beginning to fail.

After consultation with the treating doctors, the decision was taken to euthanise her to prevent further suffering, as surgery and anaesthesia were considered extremely dangerous. A clinician-led post-mortem and formal report will be conducted by Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital and will form part of the investigations.

An investigation has been ordered

The Acting National Commissioner of Police, Lt-Gen. Puleng Dimpane, has appointed a senior officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sky’s injuries. Police said Sky was no longer an operational K9 and had a history of escaping kennels at a previous K9 base in Limpopo.

According to a statement by the police, Sky was accommodated at the veterinary facility while arrangements were being made for a suitable new owner, with the donation process still underway when the incident occurred.

ALSO READ: Ian Cameron lays charges after SAPS dog seriously injured at Roodeplaat

Police also said the investigation into recent events would examine Sky’s accommodation, supervision, care and compliance with procedures and standards. They added it was “premature to attribute negligence or wrongdoing before the facts have been established”. Cameron, however, says the police version raises further questions.

“This was not an unforeseen accident involving a previously healthy and settled dog. Police had documented knowledge of the danger,” he said.

A veterinary certificate signed on 28 August recorded that Sky had been at Roodeplaat since March after sustaining wounds to her face and legs and having teeth torn from her jaw following previous escape attempts.

The certificate described her escape attempts as “persistent and compulsive”, with significant reinjury and continued attempts when she was unattended.

Sky received treatment for stress

She was diagnosed with separation anxiety and severe kennel stress and had been treated with medications such as Fluoxetine, Gabapentin and Trazodone. The certificate recorded that her prognosis in the police environment was poor and that she could not remain there without compromising her welfare.

Cameron said information provided to him indicated that a willing person had already offered Sky a suitable home and repeatedly requested permission to temporarily remove her from the kennel environment while the necessary paperwork was finalised.

He said the police must explain why the placement process continued for roughly 160 days despite veterinary personnel knowing the risks.

Information available to Cameron indicated that Sky spent about 18 hours a day in a small indoor kennel in a room without natural light and was allegedly unattended from Sunday afternoon (6 September) until she was found seriously injured on Monday morning (7 September).

Cameron has opened a criminal case and referred the matter to the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit and the South African Veterinary Council.

“I have opened a criminal case and referred the matter to the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit and the South African Veterinary Council. An internal police inquiry cannot be the only process investigating the police’s own conduct,” he said.

He called for veterinary records, CCTV footage, kennel registers, duty rosters, inspection records, biological samples and internal communications to be preserved.

“Sky served the police and depended entirely on the police for her protection. She could not speak for herself or escape the decisions made about her life,” Cameron said.

“Her death cannot be reduced to an unfortunate accident or administrative delay. Those who knew about the danger, had the authority to act and failed to protect her must be independently investigated and, where supported by the evidence, prosecuted.”