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The Knysna community bid farewell to one of their decorated German Shepherd K9-dogs who defied the odds when he was given just four months to live in 2019.
K9 Officer Rebel was put down at the Knysna Animal Welfare on Tuesday after he had to retire from the force due to medical reasons.
Rebel's handler and owner Elgan Hoff says his children are distraught following his death.
“I adopted him after we had a relationship and he was such a lovely companion.
“My kids are so heartbroken because they loved him so much but I could not let him suffer any longer,” he said.
Hoff says Rebel made a name for himself as a patrol explosive K9 and celebrated nine apprehensions in 2018 which led to the recovery of dozens of firearms and arrests.
He says in 2018 they won the floating trophy for the best K9 handler and best K9 in the Western Cape.
Speaking on some of the highlights of his career Hoff said in 2012 they had gone to a guest house robbery which saw the suspect jailed for 36 years.
“I had just come back from college and we had our first complaint.
“The man had assaulted the guesthouse owners and I was nervous as I went with him alone.
“We apprehended the suspect by tackling him and the suspect got 36 years through a plea bargain,” Hoff added.
Detailing some of the ailments that Rebel battled with Hoff said: “He had defects on his back had a large heart and he had a problem with his lungs,” Hoff said.
Thanking Animal Welfare Hoff said: “They were such angels in his dying hour, I will go back there and donate my time there.
“They gave him a dignified death,” he added.
