SAPS Pays Tribute to Dog Handler After 43 Years of Excellent Service

The South African Police Services (SAPS) paid tribute this week to Warrant Officer Rudolph Johannes Pretorius as he bids farewell to the SAPS after 43 years of excellent service as dog handler and effecting 35,000 arrests!

Warrant Officer Pretorious joined the SAPS family shortly after he completed his matric in 1973. He always had a passion for the policing environment, and as a youngster was drawn into the K9 unit.

He completed his in-service training in 1977 and underwent a K-9 handler’s course. He was then transferred to the Bloemfontein K-9 unit in 1978 and worked until he retired at the end of April 2017 spanning 43 years of excellent service as dog handler, said SAPS.

For 18 years of those 43 years he worked with a narcotic dog known as Bucks.

“With his four-legged friend, he successfully made significant breakthroughs by effecting 35,000 arrests. As a result he was awarded with the letter of appreciation from the office of the Presidency,” said SAPS.

In 2005 he became a veterinary assistant and together with Captain Janse van Rensburg established a dogs’ hospital in 2015 in Bloemfontein in which all police dogs in the Free State were brought for medical treatment and assessment.

The Cluster Commander, General de Wet, congratulated him and said he is among the “galaxy of stars that shone like a beacon for everyone to see, you led from the front through your leadership and integrity, you made your lasting impact not only on our organisation but also on our country.”

He quoted Richard Bach saying: “A farewell is necessary before we can meet again and meeting, after moments of your life, is certain for those who are your friends.”