Durban - From crime victim to crime fighter - that’s the remarkable story of Busta, a pet rottweiler who has recovered from a gunshot wound and emerged from training with the potential to be a fine police dog.
In March 2013, Busta went to the aid of his 23-year-old owner when hijackers struck in the driveway of their Lenasia, Gauteng, home.
The dog was shot in the face. The bullet went in through his nose and exited just beneath his jaw.
Two months after the incident, his owner died of natural causes and his family decided to relocate.
They did not have space on the new property for Busta so they contacted Sergeant Dean Pandaram of the uMhlali dog unit.
Pandaram, a policeman for 15 years, eight of them as a dog handler, drove to Lenasia to fetch Busta.
After nine months with Pandaram the dog regained his confidence and was enrolled in the police dog unit training programme.
Durban Dog Unit trainer Kelvin Shunmugam said Busta had been “gun shy” and was frightened by the sound of fireworks or gunshots.
“We remedied the problem and made Busta suitable for training. Busta has regained his confidence. He was born to be a police dog,” he said.
Now Busta and Pandaram are among those who will receive certificates - in this case, confirming the dog is ready to fight crime.
Police spokesman, Major Thulani Zwane, said the police officers due to receive certificates were dog handlers who had trained replacement dogs.
“Certificates will be handed out on May 14 at Durban Central K9 Unit,” Zwane said.
The 108-day short-patrol course training schedule was completed last Wednesday. Eighteen police dog handlers will receive their certificates at next Thursday’s event. This includes six from the Pietermaritzburg K9 unit.
A year ago police appealed to the public to donate dogs to bolster the police dog units in KZN.
The Durban Dog Unit and uMhlali will each receive four dogs. Durban south and Umkomaas will get two each.
The KZN dog unit has more than 35 police dogs and handlers.
Daily News