JOHANNESBURG - The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) is set to lay animal cruelty charges against police officials following the death of a police dog.
Sky, a five-year-old Belgian Malinois, worked for the South African Police Service (SAPS) as an arson detection dog.
In September, Sky was found severely injured inside her kennel.
She had previously been diagnosed with kennel stress and anxiety in March, with a recommendation that she be boarded.
READ: 'It's beyond cruel': Cameron calls for investigation into K9's death
However, according to Parliament’s Police Portfolio Committee chairperson Ian Cameron, the boarding process was delayed.
Cameron alleges that several police officers offered to take Sky home while arrangements were being made, but that their requests were not acted on.
Sky had suffered a broken leg and an open fracture. Her teeth had also fallen out, and she had previously attempted to escape from the kennels.
She was taken to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital for emergency treatment but was later humanely euthanised after her condition deteriorated.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the decision to end Sky’s suffering was made on humane grounds, with the dog’s welfare and dignity prioritised.
Mathe said SAPS was aware of questions surrounding the circumstances leading to Sky’s injuries and that an internal investigation was underway.
The NSPCA says its Special Projects Unit inspected the facility where Sky was housed.
The organisation met with SAPS and reviewed her veterinary records, treatment history and post-mortem report.
The NSPCA says its investigation found that Sky was kept in conditions that caused her unnecessary suffering.
The organisation is now preparing to lay animal cruelty charges against police officials.