Died – 10/16/16
Handler – Constable Orlando Nyawose
Police dog killed in the line of duty
Constable Orlando Nyawose is mourning the loss of his K9 partner, Dozer. The dog died after being stabbed in KwaMadlala, Umzumbe last Sunday. The Port Shepstone K9 Unit and Tactical Response Team (TRT) responded to a call from a woman who reported that a man in KwaMadlala had become ‘very violent’ and was threatening to stab people. “It was also reported that the 25-year-old man had earlier assaulted a woman (82) in Izingolweni,” said police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid. The man had apparently hit the old woman in the face before stabbing her daughter below the eye and in the hand when she tried to intervene. He then fled to KwaMadlala. When the man saw police approaching, he fled into the bush. Constable Nyawose, released Dozer to apprehend the suspect. As the dog grabbed the man by the arm, the man stabbed Dozer in the neck. “Constable Nyawose tried to arrest the man. The man was shot in the leg by another officer after he attempted to stab Const Nyawose. Several warning shots were ignored,” added Lt-Col Wiid. The police dog was rushed to the vet but died on arrival. The suspect also died. A devastated Const Nyawose is struggling to come to terms with the fact that his K9 partner will not be by his side when he resumes duties. The two had formed a very close bond since they began working together.