A BLUE Security social media campaign has raised more than R33 000 for the SAPS K9 Unit to ensure that hard working police dogs don’t end up missing in action in future.
Blue Security sales and marketing director Paul Romeril said the company, through its Blue Angels Charitable Trust non-profit organisation, had raised R33 901 in its recent 30 day Facebook Campaign that highlighted the unit’s need for tracking collars for the dogs. The campaign was ignited by the loss of Shongweni K9 Unit member Chaka during a police chase in October.
Romeril had promised that funds raised during the campaign, as well as any additional donations, would be used to buy tracker collars to ensure dogs like Chaka are not lost in future.
Blue Security promised to donate R1 towards the collars for every “like” received on its Facebook page, which was dedicated to the memory of Chaka during the campaign.
“We received 2511 new likes during the campaign and to keep our promise we have donated the equivalent to the fund, which also comprises many generous donations from local individuals, families and businesses. We received an overwhelming response from our clients and residents across Durban who opened wide their hearts and wallets. We would like to thank everyone who showed their compassion for these hard working animals through their generous gifts,” he said.
Romeril said he was delighted that the campaign had hit the target of at least R33 000, which was needed to acquire sufficient collars with tracking devices.
“The collars are currently in the process of being locally produced and will have a special pocket into which an imported microchip device and aerial will be inserted to ensure that dogs on duty can always be tracked and found in future. We work closely with the SAPS and neighbourhood watches who were all deeply distressed by the loss of Chaka, but now at least we have managed to turn our sadness into a positive development for the unit and his memory will live on,” he said.
Chaka went missing for 11 days after he lost contact with his handler Constable Elliot Mdadane, while chasing four business housebreakers near Mariannhill. Mdadane had released Chaka to chase one of the housebreakers when they split up during the police chase. His body was found in bushes after an intense search involving a helicopter, a horse patrol unit, tracker dogs and remote controlled drones.
