Mathilda Smal🇿🇦

Retired Police Officer South African Police Service

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@writtenbylaurie This haunts me too! The depravity of some humans is inconceivable😔

[Gina @ginnydmm]

From Ian Cameron’s Facebook page:

“AN OPEN LETTER TO SKY

Dear Sky,

Tonight, I sat in a feedback meeting with senior South African Police Service members about you.

A General has been appointed to lead the internal investigation into what happened, and I met with the investigation team and several senior SAPS managers.

We spoke about your life, your death and the difficult questions that must now be answered. We also spoke about the wider system responsible for caring for police animals.

It is too early for final findings, but several issues have been identified for closer examination, including where you were kept, the care available overnight and whether existing procedures were followed.

Your records have been secured. Witnesses are being interviewed and the facilities are being examined. The investigation is also looking at other police dogs who were injured, died or were euthanised.

The NSPCA and the South African Veterinary Council are conducting their own processes. The SAPS internal report is expected to reach the National Commissioner by 9 October.

But, Sky, investigations and promises are not justice.

Justice means establishing who knew you were struggling, what decisions were taken, whether opportunities to protect you were missed and why you remained there. It means consequences if wrongdoing is proved, and changing the system so that another police animal is never left frightened, trapped and alone.

I was told tonight that you were an exceptional dog. You reportedly achieved 99.42% during training and finished at the top of your class. You were intelligent, energetic and ready to serve.

Somewhere along the way, something went terribly wrong.

I will give the investigation a fair opportunity to do its work. But I will not allow your story to disappear into another report that gathers dust.

Tonight, senior SAPS officials said it themselves: you must not have died in vain.

It truly feels as though your death may lead to something bigger: accountability, better protection and lasting reform for the animals that continue to serve our country.

Rest gently, brave girl.

We will keep going.”

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@Excellentsalvic 20

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@medoyia Oil can for Singer Sewing Machine

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@officialmatm @8By10ByScott The Living years and everything since

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon Hotel California- Eagles

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon And you can relax Sunday nights because you don’t have to go to work on Monday- lekker!

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon Black Sabbath

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon Definitely no 7

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon @jacarandafm McCully’s Workshop

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@kslagmulder Thank you for always standing up for us!🇿🇦

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon I’ll eat all 4

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon Pink Floyd

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon Pink Floyd!

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon Queen Sun City 1984

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@officialmatm Oh what a concert it was🤩. Happy Birthday Nic!🎉

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon Trump

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon Gary Moore

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon As my guitar gently weeps

[Mathilda Smal🇿🇦 @thilda60]

@BarneySimon Everything!