The South African Police Service (SAPS) has called on the public to donate confident fluffy friends, who will work alongside the men and women in blue in crime fighting.

Border Collies, German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, Labradors, Belgian Shepherds, Bloodhounds, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, German Shorthair Pointers and Jack Russells, between nine months and three years old, would be suitable.

They also need to be energetic and not scared of people or loud noises, able to walk on a leash, strong and even temperament, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said on Monday.

Police dogs are used to provide both proactive and reactive services in the SAPS. They are deployed for narcotic detection, explosives detection, protected species detection, biological body fluid detection, currency detection, carcass-and-hide detection, as well as the gathering of sheep during stock theft investigations, tracking and apprehending of dangerous suspects, fire investigation, including search and rescue operations.

Potential donors can contact the K9 Donation Office at the SAPS K9 Academy, Roodeplaat on weekdays between 08:00 – 15:00 on 012 808 8787 or 082 778 9326 or e-mail roodepl.k9.donation@saps.gov.za.

Donor dogs can also be dropped off at provincial K9 units.

“The extent of generosity and assistance of the public at large will be the key factor to determine the success of this donation drive and mainly to contribute to ensure that all people in South Africa are and feel safe,” Mohlala said.

Once the donor establishes contact with the K9 unit, an appointment will then be made to assess the dog at the donor’s residence to establish whether the dog is suitable or not. If the dog is suitable, a contract will be signed.

Suitable dogs will be taken to the SAPS K9 Academy in Roodeplaat where they will be examined by the SAPS Veterinary Services, inoculated and tagged with a microchip.

Mohlala said the dog will then be quarantined for 21 days and thereafter be socialised and subjected to a pre-training programme and assessed by a panel of experts to determine suitability for police K9 training purposes.

Trained dogs will be deployed operationally as a patrol or sniffer dog.

Dogs that do not meet the required training standard will be donated to the SPCA, who will deal with them according to their policies and regulations. This arrangement is meant to ensure the dogs do not end up in undesirable circumstances.

Source: SAnews.gov.za