SAPS service dog Sky has died after suffering catastrophic injuries while confined at the SAPS Veterinary Hospital at Roodeplaat.

The dog was euthanised after her condition deteriorated severely overnight. Portfolio Committee on Police Chairperson Ian Cameron says tissue in both injured front legs had begun dying, while extensive muscle damage raised concerns that her organs were beginning to fail.

Cameron says SAPS’s own veterinary records show Sky had been diagnosed with severe kennel stress and separation anxiety, with a poor prognosis if she remained in the SAPS environment.

An SAPS veterinary certificate dated 28 August records that Sky had made persistent and compulsive attempts to escape from kennels, resulting in previous injuries.

Cameron questions why she remained at the facility for months despite officials being aware of the risks. He alleges she spent long periods confined in a small indoor kennel and was left unattended before she was found injured.

Cameron has opened a criminal case and referred the matter to the NSPCA and the South African Veterinary Council. SAPS has appointed a senior officer to investigate, while Onderstepoort will conduct a post-mortem examination.

SAPS says Sky was no longer an operational K9 and had previously escaped from kennels at her K9 base in Limpopo.

The police service says a decision was taken to accommodate her at the veterinary facility while arrangements were being made to place her with a suitable new owner. SAPS says the donation process was still underway when the incident occurred.

*This article has been updated