The South African Police Service has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the severe injuries sustained by one of its K9 officers, Sky, at a SAPS training and veterinary facility in Roodeplaat.

The investigation comes after Member of Parliament Ian Cameron said he had laid criminal charges over the incident.

Cameron says Sky, a five-year-old Belgian Malinois who previously served as an arson-detection dog, suffered multiple fractures, including an open fracture, as well as cuts to her face and leg after her leg became trapped in a kennel gate.

He says Sky was taken to Onderstepoort for emergency veterinary treatment.

Cameron has also referred the matter to the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit and the South African Veterinary Council, calling for investigations into the kennel facilities, supervision, veterinary standards and the conduct of those responsible for Sky’s care.

According to Cameron, an official SAPS veterinary certificate dated 28 August records that Sky had a history of persistent and compulsive attempts to escape from kennels, resulting in previous injuries. He says the certificate also records a diagnosis of separation anxiety and severe kennel stress, and indicates that her prognosis in the SAPS environment was poor.

Cameron alleges that, despite these concerns, Sky continued to spend long periods confined in a small indoor kennel and was left unattended before she was found injured.

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. The donation process was still underway when the incident occurred.

Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has appointed a senior officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sky’s injury, including her accommodation, supervision, care and compliance with applicable procedures and standards.

SAPS says it is deeply concerned about Sky’s injuries and that she remains a priority, with veterinary care being provided.

The police service has welcomed the investigation and says it will cooperate fully, but cautions that it would be premature to attribute negligence or wrongdoing before all the facts have been established.

SAPS says it remains committed to animal welfare and that appropriate action will be taken if any shortcomings are identified.

Cameron, meanwhile, says those responsible should be identified and held accountable if the evidence supports prosecution.

The investigation by SAPS, as well as the referrals to the NSPCA and South African Veterinary Council, are expected to establish what happened and whether any procedures or animal-welfare standards were breached.