Grrrr, woof, woof — calling all suitable four-legged aspirants to apply for training and a rewarding career with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
This was an all-points bulletin call to the public on Monday from the Western Cape SAPS, whose dog units are in need of suitable canines to be trained as police dogs.
“The role of the police dog has become essential in community safety,” says a statement from the SAPS.
Police dogs perform a diverse range of activities, including the apprehension of suspects and the detection of explosives as well as narcotics and endangered marine species.
They are also used in other specialised roles such as search-and-rescue work and arson detection.
The police service is appealing to members of the public to donate suitable German shepherd dogs between the ages of 10 months and two years to satisfy a gap created since additional police members (of the two-legged variety) were recruited at the Maitland and Gordons Bay dog units.
Dogs will be assessed at the donators’ residences to establish if the dogs have what it takes to become part of the vanguard of fighting crime.
The selection process includes assessing the dog’s aggression, vigilance and playfulness. — Sapa
Members of the public interested in donating dogs can contact Superintendent Myers at Tel: (021) 506 2077.