Update: Police dog shocked to death, officer injured
Khulu, a Bluff Metro Police Dog Unit sergeant's canine partner and a cable thief were electrocuted and killed during a chase when they ran into illegal cables in Malvern.
SERGEANT Shaun Jooste and his dog Khulu were in pursuit of one of two men wanted for cable theft and assault. The thief made his way through a bushy area he was not acquainted with in Malvern and stumbled into illegal live cables running to a nearby squatter camp.
Khulu, who was hot on his heels, grabbed the man as he was being electrocuted. Unaware of what was going on; Sgt Joost heard his canine partner barking in pain and found him lying next to the thief. According to Captain Greg Beavon of the Metro South Dog Unit, Sgt Jooste initially thought the dog had been stabbed or otherwise injured by the man.
As he tried to move Khulu, he was electrocuted twice, before he was able to drag the dog away by his puppy line. Despite his own injuries, Sgt Joost attempted CPR on him then rushed him to a nearby veterinary clinic for treatment. Unfortunately the injuries were too severe and Khulu died.
Sgt Jooste was transported to hospital where he received treatment for his own injuries. The cable thief succumbed to his injuries on scene. The second cable thief was tracked down by another SAP Dog Unit member and arrested on charges of assault and possession of copper cables suspected to be stolen.
The eThekwini Electricity Department attended the scene and removed the illegal cables, some of which were hung at knee height and other municipal officials will be going to the squatter camp to investigate.
Cpt Beavon said Sgt Jooste and Khulu had been the top performing duo in the team and they are saddened at losing such a valued and loved member of their force.
Sgt Jooste, who was born in Amanzimtoti, now lives on the Bluff.
Police dog shocked to death, officer injured
