I think it was Paul McCartney who once said: “You can judge a man’s true character by the way he treats his fellow animals.” I have to say that this quote popped to mind when I read the shocking and devastating news that Metro Police had taken the unforgivable step in having Butch, a long-time member of the Isipingo K9 unit, put down yesterday because he was deemed “too old to work”. This, despite Butch’s handler and partner in the fight against crime, requesting that he be allowed to take Butch home and let him live out his final years in a warm and loving environment. A right I, and I’m sure many of you believe, he had earned.
This upsetting news came hard on the heels of Metro Police’s refusal to accept thousands of rands worth of donations in food and canine care products earlier this week from community members and a non-profit rescue organisation which had rallied to collect items after the media broke the news that the K9 unit was in dire straits and could not feed or properly care for the working dogs in the unit.
The action by Metro Police was aptly described as a slap in the face for those who had rallied to help the animals in the K9 unit. As I write this, a media release from eThekwini Municipality has just arrived in my inbox. (Let me just add, that this explanation arrived nearly four days after requests were made for comment) I quote:
EThekwini Municipality assures the public that there is no shortage of dog food and various other essential grooming and handling items for Metro Police dogs. A routine stock verification recently conducted indicates that there is adequate supply of dog food. Further, items such as shampoo, check chains, leashes, tackle suits, dog brushes and tracking leads are in stock.
Metro Police cannot accept donations because there is sufficient stock in place therefore it is not necessary to accept donations from the public.
Importantly, all dogs in the Metro Police dog unit are vaccinated and their medical records are filed accordingly. Our dogs are attended to by qualified and experienced veterinary physicians.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Amanzimtoti Manager Tracey Girling said when the SPCA visited the Metro Police dog kennels all the dogs were fine, however, Metro Police sought the assistance of the SPCA to put down one of the dogs which was old and ailing.
“The humane thing we could do for the dog was to put it down,” said Girling.
The care of Metro Police dogs is of utmost importance to Council as they are an integral part of the Metro Police family and every effort is being made to ensure that their care is of an acceptable standard.
Now you make up your mind if this is genuine or the finest piece of spindoctoring in the wake of a public outcry and outrage. Personally, the explanation does not sit well, neither does it answer the obvious question. If all was hunky dory at the K9 unit, why then did the dog handlers say otherwise? After all, these are members who work with the dogs every day, who partner with them and rely on them in the course of carrying out their crime fighting duties. Surely they would be the ones who would know if their dogs were being well fed and groomed? What on earth could they possibly gain by saying otherwise?
I am aware that in the SAPS dog unit, when a working dog is retired, it will most likely go home with its handler. The person it has come to know and trust over many years. There is a bond there that is familial and hard to break. I can only imagine how Butch’s handler must be feeling today and my heart goes out to him.
This whole debacle, which has reverberated throughout the country has turned the spotlight firmly on our beleaguered Metro Police department which seems to lurch from crises to crises. For our esteemed Metro Police head to be quoted as saying that the dogs are municipal assets and when no longer able to perform, were to be put down, is not only shocking but, if indeed true, also a sad reflection on the character of city management policy.
