(SAPS)
28 February 2007
Police dogs and horses are invaluable assets to the South African Police
Service in preventing and combating various forms of criminal activity. Besides
the dogs and horses born, bred and trained at the South African Police
Service's Dog School and Mounted School, the SAPS has 100 dog units and 26
mounted units countrywide.
The health and wellbeing of our animals falls under the auspices of the SAPS
Veterinary Service, whose core business is animal welfare. Animal welfare
includes selection of animals, breeding, nutrition, primary and secondary
healthcare, hygiene and accommodation. To ensure that animal welfare policies
are adhered to, a veterinary inspection team visits the dog and mounted units
on a regular basis.
The wellbeing of all our animals is of paramount importance to us. The SAPS
has a good relationship with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (SPCA) and regularly liaises with that organisation on matters of
mutual interest. The Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing, Commissioner
Arno Lamoer, would like to reassure the public that SAPS animals are in good
hands and are valued and nurtured by those members responsible for them.
Commissioner Lamoer also calls upon members of the community to donate dogs to
the SAPS to be trained in crime prevention duties.
Issued by: South African Police Service
28 February 2007
Source: South African Police Service (http://www.saps.gov.za)
