THE country's top police dogs have started arriving in Nelson Mandela Bay where they will hopefully out-smell, outrun and out-track each other.
The 60 highly trained canines and their handlers are taking part in the National Police Working Dog Championships that kick off at the Westbourne Oval in Central on Thursday.
Starting this morning the public will be able to watch provincial police teams put their dogs through their paces as they practise for the main event.
The dogs will demonstrate skills from searching for explosives, narcotics, abalone and traces of blood to the usual apprehension and tracking of suspected criminals.
Port Elizabeth flying squad commander and event coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Marais - who is also a former police dog handler - said the event was aimed at ensuring the best police dogs were selected to participate in national competitions held by the SA Working Dogs Association.
"This competition allows us to monitor the standard of the police dogs and ensure that they are kept up to scratch to assist with our daily tasks," he said.
"There are 10 different teams from all over the country arriving in Port Elizabeth to participate in the event. Out of all these members only four handlers and dogs will be selected to represent the police on a national level."
The selected national team will compete with dogs and handlers in various competitions against the private security industry dogs, municipal police dogs and private individuals.
"This is really a great competition and since 2003 the Eastern Cape team has won the best dressed, best disciplined and best spirit trophy," Marais said.
The Eastern Cape team comprises dog handlers from all over the province, including King Williams Town, Queenstown, Aliwal North and others.
Top police dogs to battle it out
THE country's top police dogs have started arriving in Nelson Mandela Bay where they will hopefully out-smell, outrun and out-track each other.
The 60 highly trained canines and their handlers are taking part in the National Police Working Dog Championships that kick off at the Westbourne Oval in Central on Thursday.
Starting this morning the public will be able to watch provincial police teams put their dogs through their paces as they practise for the main event.
The dogs will demonstrate skills from searching for explosives, narcotics, abalone and traces of blood to the usual apprehension and tracking of suspected criminals.
Port Elizabeth flying squad commander and event coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Marais - who is also a former police dog handler - said the event was aimed at ensuring the best police dogs were selected to participate in national competitions held by the SA Working Dogs Association.
"This competition allows us to monitor the standard of the police dogs and ensure that they are kept up to scratch to assist with our daily tasks," he said.
"There are 10 different teams from all over the country arriving in Port Elizabeth to participate in the event. Out of all these members only four handlers and dogs will be selected to represent the police on a national level."
The selected national team will compete with dogs and handlers in various competitions against the private security industry dogs, municipal police dogs and private individuals.
"This is really a great competition and since 2003 the Eastern Cape team has won the best dressed, best disciplined and best spirit trophy," Marais said.
The Eastern Cape team comprises dog handlers from all over the province, including King Williams Town, Queenstown, Aliwal North and others.