Oscar, with the local K9 Outeniqua Dog Unit, was competing against 25 dogs from the Western Cape and Eastern Cape and the beautiful Border Colly this year reached third place in his category. Others taking first place in their respective categories were WO Wessie Westernraadt with his dog Wuska, Col Carol Kritzinger (Ziggy); WO DT Westraadt (Diesel), Constable Zinganz (Coco), WO K Julies (Oz); Constable R Jacobs (Rambo) and Constable G Gardener (Tex).
"To work up to Nationals to be held in September, our winners have to compete in two qualifying marks," said Warrant Officer Riaan Le Roux. The categories included tracking; search and rescue; sniffing out explosives; abalone poaching; drug detection and blood and semen detection.
Warrant Officer Le Roux of the K9 Worchester Dog Unit, says he and his German Sheperd, Ceazer had formed a close bond which plays a valuable role in the SAPD in their daily task. "Some of us owe our lives to our dogs."
One of the sponsors, Auto Landy of George, hosted a snoek braai in the lapa at Rooi Rivier Sports clubhouse.
SAPD dog handlers attaining first position in the SAWDTA provincial competition staged in George, are from left: WO Wessie Westenraadt, Col Carol Kritzinger, WO DT Westenraadt, Const C Zinganz and WO K Julies. In front: Const R Jacobs, Col Michael Goliath (who handed over the prizes), and Const G Gardener.
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
