NSPCA to Lay Criminal Charges Against SAPS Over K9 Dog Sky's Death in Pretoria
- The National Council of SPCAs announced plans to pursue criminal animal cruelty charges against SAPS officials following the death of police dog Sky
- The five-year-old Belgian Malinois was euthanised at the SAPS Veterinary Hospital in Roodeplaat after sustaining severe self-inflicted injuries in her kennel
- An NSPCA investigation found that Sky's veterinary records showed documented suffering dating back to March, raising questions about why officials failed to act
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PRETORIA — The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has announced it intends to lay criminal charges of animal cruelty against South African Police Service officials following the death of K9 dog Sky at the SAPS Veterinary Hospital in Roodeplaat, Pretoria.
According to News24, Sky, a five-year-old Belgian Malinois, was euthanised after she was found bleeding in her kennel with multiple fractures sustained from repeated attempts to break free of her enclosure.
The NSPCA's Special Projects Unit conducted a formal investigation into the facility, examining Sky's veterinary files, treatment history, and post-mortem results. The findings indicated that Sky had been experiencing severe kennel stress and separation anxiety since at least March, and had been injuring herself in attempts to escape her enclosure on multiple occasions.
Critically, internal medical assessments had already concluded that Sky's prognosis within the police environment was poor. Despite this, SAPS kept her confined in a reinforced indoor kennel. She was eventually found in a critical condition, necessitating the decision to euthanise her.
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NSPCA spokesperson Samanta Stelli condemned the police service's handling of the situation, stating that SAPS had kept Sky in an environment that was documented to cause her harm. Stelli emphasised that working animals must never be regarded as disposable assets.
SAPS classified dog as state property
Central to the NSPCA's criticism is how SAPS categorised Sky once her operational career ended. Rather than treating her as a living, sentient animal requiring appropriate care, the police service classified her as state property to be processed through supply chain procedures.
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Parliamentary Police Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron supported the NSPCA's findings, saying the evidence points to prolonged suffering and stressing the importance of holding accountable those with the authority to intervene but who did not. The criminal charges, once formally laid, will target SAPS officials implicated in Sky's care and confinement during the period her distress was documented.
Sky tried to escape from SAPS facility
In a related article, Briefly News reported on Sky, who was euthanised after suffering severe injuries at the Roodeplaat Veterinary Hospital. The case has prompted a criminal complaint and calls for an independent investigation.
Veterinary records reportedly flagged Sky’s deteriorating condition before her death. Her final hours included an 18-hour period without observation and an apparent attempt to escape her enclosure.
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Source: Briefly News
