Cops say sorry, with a dog

2003-02-18 23:50

Yvonne Beyers

Cape Town - A lively eight-week-old Rottweiler, called Lulu, is the gift members of the police gave a heartbroken dog lover of Lotus River, Grassy Park.

Lulu is not just any old dog off the street. Police found her after a huge search to substitute a Rottweiler a cop had killed in self-defence earlier in the week.

The owner's previous dog, Duke, was killed last Wednesday when a policeman was compelled to shoot.

Inspector Marais Thierzen of the air support reaction force said the policeman had been chasing a suspected car thief in Grassy Park who tried to escape on foot.

"Residents told the policeman the suspect had jumped over a wall, but when he followed, a huge dog waited for him on the other side.

"The dog attacked him and he was compelled to shoot it to save his own life. It was either the dog or the policeman," Thierzen said.

"But when we told the owner his dog was dead he was upset and in tears, and we decided to replace it."

Thierzen and his colleagues on Kfm radio asked the public for "donations".

"And soon five people called from across the Western Cape with offers of puppies!"

Lulu was chosen as the substitute and was fetched from Ceres.

"The man's wife was in a state when we handed over the puppy. They were surprised and very pleased. It was great to be able to make up for Duke's death," Thierzen said.

The dog's new owner, who chose to remain anonymous, said Lulu is a "lovely, playful bundle of joy."

Meanwhile, the suspect has been arrested and charged with theft, attempted murder, reckless driving and malicious injury to property.

Truly, every dog has its day.

- Die Burger