×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Police want your healthy dogs

Sne Masuku

The South African Police Service has appealed to the public to donate their dogs to help fight crime.

Dogs are needed to serve in general policing activities, including special events like the 2009 general elections and the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Police national spokesman Leon Engelbrecht said that no reward would be given for the donations, but members of the public would be contributing to saving lives and making the country safe.

"We require dogs, male or female, from 18 months up to three years.

"But they will first be taken for a number of medical tests and an 18-month training course," said Engelbrecht.

The preferred breeds are German Shepherds, pictured right, Border Collies and Malinois.

These dogs will be used to help detect narcotics, explosives in fire investigations, as well as in search and rescue operations.

"These dogs will help boost the fight against crime," said Engelbrecht.

l Meanwhile, a police officer is in hospital in a critical condition after she was hit by a car while chasing a robbery suspect on foot on Durban's busy Victoria embankment on Saturday.

An Opel Corsa hit both the woman police officer and the suspect she was chasing.

An eyewitness said the driver of the Corsa failed to stop. Both the cop and the suspect were taken to hospital. Their condition was still critical yesterday.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.