Sky was a five-year-old Belgian Malinois who worked for the South African Police Service (SAPS) as an arson detection dog.

Sky suffered from severe kennel stress and separation anxiety, with repeated, compulsive attempts to escape confinement. In March 2026, one such attempt had already left her with wounds to her face and legs, and some teeth torn from her jaw.

Despite treatment, Sky continued trying to escape; on 7 September, another attempt left her seriously injured in her kennel at the SAPS Veterinary Hospital in Roodeplaat. Emergency treatment followed at Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital, where her condition continued to deteriorate. On 9 September the decision was made to humanely euthanise her.

The NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit inspected the facility, met with SAPS twice, and reviewed Sky’s veterinary records, her treatment history, and the post-mortem report.

Our investigation found evidence that Sky was kept in conditions that caused her unnecessary suffering, despite SAPS’s own records documenting the risk to her.

Her post-mortem also found that the injuries to both of Sky’s front legs were accompanied by widespread muscle damage consistent with a prolonged period of physical exertion during a traumatic event. Her condition would likely have been fatal without euthanasia. It also found older stitched wounds, tooth wear inconsistent with her age, and changes to her adrenal glands, indicative of chronic stress. Taken with her records, these findings point to sustained distress rather than a single incident.

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) will open a docket for contraventions of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 against officials in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Support Sky’s Case

Our work for Sky is far from over. We are pursuing justice for her, but we need your help.

Once-off donation: Help fund the next phase of Sky’s case and our pursuit of accountability.

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Account Name: SPCA National Council of SA
Bank: Standard Bank
Account No.: 220 639 744
Branch Code: 051 001
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Thank You for Standing with Sky

Thank you for caring about Sky and the working animals who still depend on people to protect them.

Your support helps us keep pursuing accountability, keep asking difficult questions, and keep fighting for better protection for animals in service.