The Eastern Cape Police K9 Unit has bid farewell to one of its award-winning members, Black after he died recently due to a heart condition.
Black had been boarded from his tracking duties and died in the care of his handler last month, after being part of the South African Police Service for nine years.
He was a mix between a Bloodhound and Bluetick hound and was trained together with four of his siblings by his handler at Atteridgeville SAPS K9 Training Institution in 2011 when he was just a year old.
Police spokesperson, Captain Mali Govender said from the early age of his career, Black established himself as a top tracker dog and assisted in solving cases of stock theft and housebreaking.
He also played a vital role in retrieving hidden goods, carcasses and identifying crime scenes.
In 2012, his versatile skills came under the spotlight after he found a woman who was lost in the Storms River assisting the search and rescue team.
In 2014 his handler Warrant Officer Konzani, and Black were awarded commendations when they were nominated as EC’s top achievers in the crime prevention category. They were the first runner's up in the SAPS national awards ceremony which was held in Pretoria.
Black's handler, Warrant Officer Konzani, took Black home with him after the diagnosis.
He said during an interview, "I will forever remember my partner as a courageous fighter. Rest in peace my friend.”
