SAPS appeals for canine donations to enhance crime-fighting efforts

THE South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape is facing a critical shortage of K9 partners and has issued an urgent appeal for specific dog breeds to strengthen their crime-fighting capabilities.

Find out how your canine companion could serve the community and what breeds are most suitable for this vital police work

With a current shortage of suitable dogs severely hampering crime-fighting, search and rescue, and detection operations throughout the province, the SAPS is appealing for donations to strengthen its frontline capabilities. 

Dogs play a pivotal role in maintaining community safety and effectiveness in high-pressure situations. 

In a statement on its website, the SAPS said: "To qualify as a potential K9 partner, dogs must be healthy, confident, and energetic, displaying no fear of people or loud noises. The preferred breeds include German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Bloodhounds, Border Collies, Jack Russells, and Dutch Shepherds." 

The dogs must be between 12 and 24 months. 

To ensure the dogs meet the rigorous demands of police work, specific selection criteria have been established based on intended roles:

• For detection and search roles: dogs intended for narcotics, explosives, firearm detection, or search and rescue must demonstrate a high play/prey drive, shown by an intense focus on and desire to chase balls or toys.
• For patrol and apprehension roles: dogs to be trained for patrol duties must display a non-emotional, predatory sequence prey drive, which is associated with controlled aggression necessary for suspect apprehension and protection work.

The SAPS said the public's contribution could directly support frontline policing and save lives. 

Prospective donors are urged to contact the K9 Unit Donation Coordinator: Warrant Officer Chris Heggie on 072 735 0116.

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