The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the death of patrol dog Floppy, who went missing during a police operation following an armed robbery at a school in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.

In a statement issued on Monday, 15 June, SAPS said Floppy’s body was recovered at around 13:00 in dense bush in NU16, Mdantsane, after an extensive search by Search and Rescue teams. The police dog had sustained gunshot wounds.

Floppy disappeared on Friday, 12 June, while assisting officers in tracking three armed robbery suspects who had fled into thick vegetation after allegedly robbing Nzuzo Primary School in Zwelitsha.

According to police, the three suspects entered the school armed with firearms and stole 20 laptops and 15 cellphones before hijacking the headmaster’s black Peugeot vehicle.

Members of the Mdantsane Flying Squad quickly responded and recovered the vehicle about one kilometre from the school. Officers then spotted the suspects running into bushes near a dam and called in the K9 Unit to assist.

Sergeant Don and patrol dog Floppy tracked the suspects and reportedly cornered them in dense vegetation. When the suspects fled deeper into the bush, Floppy was released to apprehend them.

Moments later, the handler heard a suspect shouting from inside the bush, followed by gunshots. Additional SAPS members rushed to the area, but Floppy could not be located and the suspects had escaped.

A large-scale search involving police units, Search and Rescue teams and members of the public using drones continued over the weekend before Floppy’s body was discovered on Monday.

Police said the three suspects remain at large and are considered armed and dangerous.

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata previously described the disappearance of the patrol dog as deeply concerning and appealed to the public for assistance.

SAPS has urged anyone with information that could assist in locating the suspects to contact the nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.