Scout, Biko, and 16-week-old puppy Zia have officially joined the Matlabas Custodians Dog Unit. While we’ve had working dogs in the area before, they’ve always belonged to external owners or companies. These three are the very first dogs dedicated to our own community’s dog unit.

Serious crimes like rhino poaching and farm attacks are an unfortunate reality. We also face less severe - yet disruptive - offences such as livestock theft, cable theft, house break-ins, illegal poaching, and vandalism, which regularly rear their heads. Until now, our community has relied on dog units from external projects. The need for our own dedicated unit became clear, leading to the establishment of this vital project, headed by experienced dog handler Jacques de Ru.

We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of a dedicated veterinarian (Matoppi Dierekliniek) who donates his time and only charges for costs, ensuring the welfare of our dogs remains a top priority.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have already been established for the handler, proto team, and community members to ensure the dogs’ wellbeing and to manage workloads effectively.

This unit will significantly enhance our ability to combat crime. Scout, a Hanoverian hound, has an exceptional ability to track scents up to 1½ days old. The other two dogs, both German Shepherd x Belgian Malinois, are trained to track and apprehend suspects when instructed.
 

Training is both intensive and expensive - and it’s an ongoing process. Kennelling, too, is a finely balanced operation requiring proper nutrition, regular deworming, and routine kennel maintenance.

We are grateful to the community for already stepping in to help with the construction of  proper kennels and the purchase of much needed high-quality equipment like harnesses. But to maintain a high-performing unit, continued funding is essential. Ongoing training, upkeep, and medical care are vital to the long-term success of this initiative.

We hope you’ll consider contributing to this worthy cause and help us grow the Dog Unit into an even more powerful tool for protecting our community.