SAPS
At least 45 puppies have died at the SAPS-K9 Academy in Pretoria following the second outbreak of 'canine Parvovirus'.
A Special Veterinary task team is now working tirelessly to stop the spread of the virus, which is the second outbreak in less than a year.
The latest outbreak was noticed in June this year when puppies were brought in for consultations.
The animals were lethargic and not responding to treatment.
A Spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili said samples were sent for testing which confirmed the outbreak.
Quarantine measures were immediately put in place.
She says even though the puppies were vaccinated the virus had hit the academy again.
During the 2019 outbreak 75 puppies died and this year, eight died suddenly while 36 had to be euthanized.
SAPS Roodeplaat Veterinary Hospital head of veterinary services Brigadier (Dr) Letshuti Phele was, however, optimistic that the current outbreak had been contained.
An internal investigation is now being conducted to determine the source of the outbreak.
The K9 Academy Roodeplaat, which is also responsible for the training of dogs and their handlers, prioritised the maintenance of strict bio-security, standard hygiene protocols, and limited access to the facility to ensure that officers interacting with dogs did not unwittingly become carriers of deadly viruses on and off the premises.
A task team comprised of veterinary services, the K9 unit and K9 Academy personnel had been established to, among other things, review the breeding strategy and relevant directives on general welfare and operational procedures governing the breeding programme.
Colonel Muridili says Breeding remains the best strategy for the SAPS to acquire dogs and enhance the K9 unit as a strategic policing imperative in the organisation.
- African News Agency (ANA)
