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Gqeberha police said a 21-year-old house robbery suspect is in custody, while K9 Night, who helped with the arrest, sustained serious injuries after struggling with the man who broke into a house in Providentia.
Spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, said the K9 unit responded to a report of a housebreaking in progress on Glendore Road in the early hours of Monday morning.
When police arrived on the scene, members of Atlas Security had secured the scene and informed the police that the owners were out of town.
In a statement, Janse Van Rensburg said the suspect had gained entrance at the back of the house “where a window was open.” She said he then forced open the burglar bars and removed them to get inside.
She said the K9 unit members obtained permission to enter the house, and warrant officer Damian Theron “gave the necessary warnings for the suspect to hand himself over.”
When there was no response, Theron used K9 Night to search the house, which was in darkness, and it was also unknown how many suspects were there.
Captain Janse Van Rensburg said during the search, the suspect jumped out of a cupboard and ran towards a window when he was “apprehended by Night", leading to a struggle.
She said the suspect grabbed his choke chain and jumped at a big window, “forcing the dog’s head toward the broken glass”, and resulting in him sustaining cuts to the throat and neck area as well as an injury to a paw.
Warrant Officer Theron used his jersey to help stem the bleeding while Night was rushed to a local veterinary clinic for treatment, where he is said to be in a “stable” condition.
The South African Police Service also expressed their gratitude to Dr Campher at Walmer Veterinary Services, who responded immediately when contacted for assistance.
Meanwhile, Janse Van Rensburg said the suspect, who was also treated in hospital for injuries, is due to appear in court soon.
