A post-mortem report on K9 Sky, the former arson-detection dog that died in the SA Police Service (SAPS) Veterinary Hospital at Roodeplaat, Gauteng, has revealed that she endured hours of pain before her death. The report, received by Ian Cameron, chairperson of Parliament's portfolio committee on police, shows that Sky suffered multiple fractures, extensive tissue damage and severe muscle breakdown following a prolonged and physically traumatic struggle.
According to Cameron, the report records that Sky was found alive but unresponsive and in shock inside a blood-filled cage. The post-mortem confirmed several fractures to both of her front legs, including an open fracture where bone protruded through the skin. The fracture-related wounds were estimated to have been between 12 and 16 hours' old. This suggests that Sky was in a state of distress for an extended period before her death.
The report also recorded extensive wounds, bruising and damage to Sky's muscles and surrounding tissue. Her muscle breakdown had caused changes to her kidneys and acute changes to her heart muscle. The injuries were considered likely to have been imminently fatal had Sky not been euthanised, according to the report. Furthermore, the pathology findings also recorded severe dental wear that could not be explained by Sky's age, as well as multiple penetrating wounds.
One of the penetrating wounds could plausibly have been self-inflicted, consistent with the possibility that Sky bit at her own limb while attempting to free herself. Cameron said, "Sky suffered catastrophic injuries and extreme pain during a prolonged, physically traumatic struggle." However, he stressed that the pathology report does not determine who was responsible for Sky's injuries, adding that this must be established through the investigations now underway.
Questions have been raised over Sky's care while she was housed at the SAPS Veterinary Hospital at Roodeplaat, Gauteng, since March while police sought a suitable new owner. A SAPS veterinary certificate dated August 28 recorded that Sky had severe separation anxiety and kennel stress and had previously injured herself while attempting to escape. The certificate described her attempts to escape as "persistent and compulsive" and recorded previous wounds to her face and legs, as well as damage to her teeth.
Cameron has previously raised concerns that Sky was confined for about 18 hours a day in a small indoor kennel in a room without natural light. She was found severely injured in her kennel in September after reportedly being left unattended. She was taken to Onderstepoort for emergency treatment, but her condition deteriorated. Tissue in her legs began dying and her muscles started breaking down. Veterinarians determined that surgery and anaesthesia were too dangerous, and Sky was euthanised to prevent further suffering.
Sky's death is being investigated by SAPS, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) and the South African Veterinary Council. Cameron said a General was leading the internal SAPS investigation, which is due to be completed by October 9. He has submitted his evidence dossier and annexures to the investigation, emphasising that the findings should not be allowed to disappear into an internal process, and that "Sky must not have died in vain."
Key points
- The post-mortem report on K9 Sky reveals that she suffered multiple fractures, extensive tissue damage and severe muscle breakdown before her death.
- Sky's care has been questioned, with concerns raised over her confinement and previous injuries.
- The investigation into Sky's death is being led by a General and is due to be completed by October 9.
