Meet Kira the latest Plett crime fighting canine
Plettenberg Bay’s furry crime fighters are expanding with the arrival of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association’s third K9 partner – a German shepherd puppy.
Kira is a five-month-old purpose-bred tracking dog that was donated to the PBCPA by Tactical K9 Africa to bolster the organisation’s crime-fighting efforts. Kira joins Blackie and Zeus as part of the PBCPA K9 unit.
Tactical K9 Africa decided to donate the dog to the PBCPA following the success they had with Blackie, a rescue dog turned tracking and apprehension dog.
“Blackie’s training was sponsored by the Plettenberg Bay community and he has since been awarded hero status in Plett. He has many success stories to his name. The dedication Otto Olivier (Blackie’s handler) and his team have put into the project have inspired us to assist the team to further safeguard the caring community in Plett,” said Clinton Cilliers of Tactical K9 Africa.
Olivier, who has become a good dog trainer since acquiring Blackie, will assist Kira’s handler Henk Weyers, in “mantrailing” training, Cilliers added. Following this, Kira will join Cilliers and his team in Swartruggens for tactical apprehension training.
Henk Weyers (left) and Clinton Cilliers show off the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association’s latest four-legged crime fighter Kira. Photo: Supplied
‘Showing all key factors needed’
Olivier said they are elated with their newest addition. “Kira is only five months old, but has shown all the key factors needed for an excellent tracking-and-attack K9,” he said. While Kira is still a puppy she will stay with Weyers in Plettenberg Bay so that the two can form a bond before she starts her training. “She is a very lively dog and shows great potential,” Olivier said.
Weyers has already completed his handler training and is awaiting his final results.
Olivier said he is very grateful that Kira would be joining the team. “Blackie has a very good track record especially in crime prevention and suspect apprehension. We realised there was a need for another dog to boost these efforts. It will also give Blackie the chance to take some time off when needed.” Blackie has left trainers and dog experts baffled. “A trainer from Germany told us he has never seen a rescue dog – which was not purpose-bred for this type of work – take to the task so well.”
While Blackie and Kira will be tasked with tactical work, Zeus has been excelling in sniffing out drugs, but is also being used in search and rescue efforts.
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Source: Knysna Plett Herald News