PROJECT: "SKY" - SAPS DOG K9 UNIT - GROSS NEGLIGENCE AND ANIMAL CRUELTY IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION
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Specialised Security Services (SSS) has launched an independent investigation
into the circumstances surrounding the injuries and subsequent death of South African Police Service K9 Sky.
SSS has been inundated with requests from members of the public to intervene.
The response has been overwhelming, with people calling for urgent action,
accountability and an independent investigation into what happened to Sky.
This matter has also raised a much wider concern.
Information currently being examined suggests that Sky may not be the first SAPS service dog
whose treatment at the Roodeplaat facility has raised serious concerns.
Our investigation will therefore not be limited to the final days of Sky's life.
It will examine the circumstances surrounding her care, the decisions taken by those responsible for her welfare
and whether her death forms part of a broader history of failures involving SAPS service animals.
SSS SPECIALIST TASK TEAM:
SSS has considerable experience in investigations involving serious crimes against animals
and has designated its specialist task team to deal with this matter.
LEAD INVESTIGATORS:
MR. KOOS GERBER
Contact number: +27 82 952 6909
Email address: koosg@mikebolhuis.co.za
MR. RIAAN CLOETE
Contact number: +27 76 758 9690
Email address: riaanc@mikebolhuis.co.za
The team will collect and evaluate evidence, interview relevant persons,
examine historical incidents and compile the information into a comprehensive investigative docket.
Where the evidence supports criminal, disciplinary or regulatory action,
the relevant findings will be referred to the appropriate authorities.
K9 SKY:
Sky was a five-year-old Belgian Shepard who served SAPS as an arson-detection dog.
According to information made public following her death, Sky suffered from severe kennel stress and separation anxiety.
Veterinary documentation dated 28 August 2026 reportedly recorded previous injuries associated with repeated attempts to escape from kennels.
These included injuries to her face and legs and significant damage to her teeth.
Her behaviour was reportedly described as persistent and compulsive, and she was receiving medication including Fluoxetine, Gabapentin and Trazodone.
Of particular concern is the reported veterinary finding that Sky's prognosis within the SAPS environment was poor and that remaining in that environment would compromise her welfare.
That assessment was reportedly made shortly before the incident that ultimately resulted in her death.
WHAT HAPPENED TO SKY?
Sky later sustained catastrophic injuries while being kept at the SAPS Veterinary Hospital and K9 facility at Roodeplaat.
Her injuries reportedly included extensive trauma to both front legs and an open fracture.
Her condition deteriorated to such an extent that tissue damage, severe muscle injury and possible organ complications became a concern.
After consultation with the veterinary team treating her at Onderstepoort, the decision was ultimately made to euthanise Sky to prevent further suffering.
A post-mortem examination was subsequently requested.
The circumstances leading up to those injuries are now of critical importance.
THIS MAY EXTEND BEYOND SKY:
One of the most concerning aspects of the investigation is the history now being examined.
The NSPCA has also become actively involved, having inspected the Roodeplaat facility, noted welfare concerns and indicated that further engagement with SAPS and follow-up inspections will form part of its ongoing involvement.
Information received by SSS indicates that there have been previous serious concerns relating to dogs connected to the Roodeplaat facility.
The investigation must therefore determine whether these incidents are unrelated or whether they indicate a recurring problem in the management, veterinary care, supervision and protection of SAPS service dogs.
THE ROODEPLAAT PARVOVIRUS OUTBREAKS:
In 2019, a major canine parvovirus outbreak occurred at the SAPS K9 Academy in Roodeplaat.
Approximately 120 puppies were reportedly affected, with SAPS subsequently confirming the deaths of 75 puppies.
Another outbreak followed in 2020, during which SAPS reported the loss of a further 45 puppies, including animals that died and others that had to be euthanised.
These incidents form an important part of the history of the facility and cannot simply be disregarded when investigating whether proper systems of care, disease prevention, supervision and accountability were in place.
K9 BUCK:
SSS is also aware of historical allegations surrounding K9 Buck, Belgian Malinois also associated with Roodeplaat.
Buck reportedly suffered from Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, a condition requiring continued medication, appropriate nutrition and careful management.
Concerns were subsequently raised regarding whether those medical and nutritional requirements were properly attended to while he was at the facility, with reports that his condition deteriorated significantly.
These allegations will be independently examined as part of the broader investigation.
SSS will differentiate carefully between allegations, documentary evidence, witness accounts and facts that can ultimately be established.
A BROADER INVESTIGATION INTO SAPS K9 WELFARE:
The purpose of this investigation is not to assume that every historical incident has the same cause.
It is to determine whether there is a connection.
SSS will examine information concerning veterinary management, medication, kennel conditions, supervision, monitoring procedures, previous complaints, internal reporting structures and decisions made by officials responsible for these animals.
Information concerning other SAPS K9 facilities or units will also be considered where it demonstrates possible neglect, cruelty or systemic failures involving animals under the control of authorities.
THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION:
SSS is aware that criminal charges have been opened in connection with Sky's case, and the circumstances surrounding her injuries have also been referred to relevant animal welfare and veterinary authorities.
SAPS has also initiated an internal investigation.
Public concerns have also been raised regarding the initial handling of the criminal complaint, including jurisdiction and the allocation of an investigating officer.
SSS will monitor these developments.
Our independent investigation is not intended to obstruct the official investigation.
It is intended to ensure that information is properly gathered, corroborated and preserved and that credible evidence is placed before the correct authorities.
Where authorities themselves form part of the subject matter of an investigation, independent scrutiny becomes particularly important.
OUR POSITION:
Police service dogs perform demanding and sometimes dangerous duties alongside their handlers.
They search for suspects, detect narcotics, explosives and accelerants and perform specialised functions in the service of the South African public.
They are living animals, not equipment.
Their welfare remains the responsibility of SAPS and the officials entrusted with their care throughout their service, during periods of kennelling or treatment, and after they can no longer perform operational duties.
If an animal has a known medical or behavioural condition, those responsible for its care have an obligation to respond appropriately to that condition.
The fact that an animal belongs to, works for or is housed by a state institution cannot place that institution beyond scrutiny.
THE LAW AND THE DUTY OF CARE MUST APPLY REGARDLESS OF WHO IS INVOLVED.
SSS CALLS ON THE PUBLIC TO COME FORWARD:
We specifically invite information from current and former SAPS K9 handlers, personnel who have worked at K9 facilities, veterinary professionals, animal welfare organisations and persons with direct knowledge of conditions at Roodeplaat
or other SAPS K9 facilities.
We also want to hear from persons possessing:
Photographs or videos.
Veterinary records or reports.
Internal correspondence.
Complaints previously submitted.
Information concerning previous K9 injuries or deaths.
First-hand information regarding neglect or inadequate care.
Information concerning instructions, decisions or warnings that were allegedly ignored.
Information supplied to our investigators will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and privacy.
Persons with sensitive evidence should not publish it on social media or in public WhatsApp groups.
It should be provided directly to the investigative team so that its integrity can be protected.
JOIN THE OFFICIAL SSS K9 SKY INVESTIGATION GROUP:
Members of the public wishing to follow developments and receive official updates can join the dedicated SSS WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J7ffBOcJOGL7ujpo2bfizZ?s=sw&p=a&mlu=0
The group will also be used to share selected S.S.S. projects, crime warnings and other important public-safety information.
We encourage members to read these publications. Staying informed about current investigations, crime trends, scams and public warnings remains an important part of crime prevention.
INVESTIGATION FEES AND VOLUNTARY DONATIONS:
SSS does not require deposits or upfront investigation fees from members of the public participating in this investigation.
Investigations of this nature can, however, involve significant operational expenditure, travel,
specialist resources and investigative hours.
Members of the public who wish to support the investigation may make a voluntary donation
towards these investigative and operational costs.
No donation is compulsory.
OFFICIAL SSS BANKING DETAILS:
BANK: STANDARD BANK
BRANCH: GEZINA
BRANCH CODE: 004845
ACCOUNT HOLDER: SPECIALISED SECURITY SERVICES
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 20 216 383 0
ACCOUNT TYPE: CURRENT
ACCOUNTSWIFT CODE: SBZAZAJJ
Members of the public must not make payments to individuals who approach them privately
through the WhatsApp group or social media claiming to collect funds on behalf of SSS.
SSS WILL PURSUE THE FACTS:
Serious and disturbing information has already been brought to the attention of SSS and is being assessed by our investigators.
We will not publish allegations simply because they create public outrage. Information must first be tested against evidence and corroborated wherever possible.
At the same time, credible information cannot be ignored merely because the institution under scrutiny is an authority.
The history surrounding Roodeplaat, together with the circumstances of Sky's death, warrants a proper investigation into whether previous incidents were isolated or whether shortcomings in the treatment and protection of service dogs have persisted over a period of years.
If negligence, cruelty, misconduct or systemic failures are established, the evidence must be placed before the appropriate authorities and those responsible must be held accountable.
Most importantly, any failures identified must be corrected so that another service animal does not suffer unnecessarily.
K9 SKY SERVED THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE.
SHE DESERVED THE SAME LOYALTY, CARE AND PROTECTION THAT SHE GAVE IN SERVICE.
IF WE DO NOT SPEAK FOR THESE ANIMALS, WHO WILL?
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Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
Fax: 086 585 4924
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