Autopsy of South African police dog finds fractures in both front legs — Daily Maverick

In South Africa, police dog Sky was euthanized on September 9 after suffering severe injuries while being kept at the South African Police Service veterinary hospital in Roodeplaat near Pretoria. The final autopsy report confirmed fractures in both of her front legs, Daily Maverick reports.

Sky was a female Belgian Shepherd that served in the South African Police Service for five years and was trained to detect fire accelerants. According to the publication, she was allegedly kept for up to 18 hours a day in a small windowless enclosure in her final days.

Autopsy findings

Ian Cameron, chair of the parliamentary police committee, said Sky was found alive but unresponsive and in shock in a cage filled with blood. On her left front leg, a bone was protruding through the skin, indicating an open fracture. The report estimated the age of the fracture-related wounds at 12–16 hours.

The report also described numerous wounds, bruises, and injuries to the skin, muscles and adjacent tissues. The autopsy recorded severe muscle breakdown, kidney changes and acute changes in the heart muscle. It noted that the injuries could have been inevitably fatal had the animal not been euthanized.

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Several penetrating wounds were documented. One sickle-shaped mark may have been inflicted by the dog itself if it bit its leg while trying to free itself, but the report does not establish this as fact. Other injuries were linked to bone fractures and blunt trauma.

Investigation

Cameron opened a criminal case under animal protection legislation, and the materials were later transferred to the Kameeldrift police station in Pretoria. According to him, the autopsy findings do not identify those responsible — this is to be established by the investigation.

The circumstances of Sky's death are being examined by the South African Police Service, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A general has already been appointed to lead the internal police investigation, and his report is expected by October 9. Cameron also said police had assured him that measures would be taken to ensure that other service animals, including Belgian Shepherds, do not end up in similar conditions.