The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed on Wednesday that a service dog, known as Sky, was euthanised after suffering catastrophic injuries while confined at the SAPS Veterinary Hospital in Roodeplaat.
Parliamentary scrutiny and criminal referral
Ian Cameron, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, said veterinary records show extensive damage to Sky’s front limbs and muscles and that tissue in both front legs had started to die. Cameron said the extent of the injury and muscle damage raised concerns that the dog’s organs were beginning to fail, prompting veterinary staff to recommend euthanasia after her condition deteriorated overnight.
"Tissue in both injured front legs had begun dying, while extensive muscle damage raised concerns that her organs were beginning to fail," Cameron said, according to reporting.
Cameron said he had opened a criminal case and referred the matter to the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) and the South African Veterinary Council. He also asked that Onderstepoort undertake a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.
SAPS response and internal inquiry
SAPS has appointed a senior officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, the service said. The police confirmed that Sky was no longer an operational K9 and that she had a history of escaping from kennels at her previous K9 base in Limpopo. Because of that behaviour, Sky had been accommodated at the veterinary facility while the service arranged placement with a suitable new owner; the donation process was still underway when the incident occurred.
According to the service’s veterinary records, dated 28 August, Sky had been diagnosed with severe kennel stress and separation anxiety. The records reportedly noted persistent and compulsive attempts to escape from her kennel, which had previously resulted in injuries.
Cameron questioned why Sky had remained at the veterinary hospital for months despite the documented risks, and alleged that she spent extended periods confined in a small indoor kennel and was left unattended prior to being found injured.
Immediate steps and outstanding questions
The sequence of actions reported so far is:
- SAPS veterinary certificate dated 28 August recorded severe kennel stress and repeated escape attempts.
- SAPS accommodated Sky at Roodeplaat while seeking a new owner; donation process was not finalised.
- Sky was found with catastrophic injuries; condition deteriorated and she was euthanised.
- Portfolio Committee on Police chair opened a criminal case and referred the matter to the NSPCA and South African Veterinary Council.
- SAPS appointed a senior officer to conduct an internal investigation; Onderstepoort to perform a post-mortem.
| Actor | Action reported |
|---|---|
| SAPS | Appointed senior officer to investigate; confirmed Sky was non-operational and being readied for donation |
| Portfolio Committee on Police | Opened criminal case; referred matter to NSPCA and South African Veterinary Council |
| Onderstepoort | Requested to undertake post-mortem examination |
The incident raises questions about the management and oversight of SAPS veterinary facilities, the handling of animals deemed unfit for operational service and the standards of care for K9s awaiting placement.
As of publication, SAPS had not provided further detail on the exact cause of Sky’s injuries, the timing of when she was found injured, or whether any personnel actions had been taken pending the internal probe and the outcomes of external enquiries.
The post-mortem results and the investigations by the NSPCA, the South African Veterinary Council and the SAPS-appointed officer are expected to shed light on whether neglect, procedural failure or other causes contributed to this case.
Reporting indicates that Sky’s diagnosis of severe kennel stress and previous escape behaviour were recorded in SAPS veterinary files, but the full circumstances that led to the catastrophic injuries remain under investigation.
