Plett’s first K9 crime fighter bows out

After nearly seven years of serving the Bitou community, Plettenberg Bay's first four-legged crime fighter, Blackie, is bowing out.

Over the years, the now about nine-year-old German shepherd's remarkable 'from zero to hero' story has captured the hearts of the community he serves.

Blackie was found wandering the streets of Plett after being abandoned by his owners and caught the attention of the Plettenberg Bay Animal Welfare Society (Paws). It took the Paws team about two weeks to catch him, but from that moment Blackie's talents were noticed, and the rest is history.

The Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers Association financially backed his adoption and service training and he became Plett's first K9 crime fighter as part of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) team with operations head Otto Olivier as his handler. Blackie received his training at Tactical K9 Africa trainers at Swartruggens and immediately impressed the training team.

A great moment for Blackie was when a local woman gave him a huge bone which he chewed on most of the day.

Over the years Blackie shone in his work. He was involved in the arrests of 47 crime suspects. He even received a 'hero award' from the Plett community. "That was probably one of his biggest or happiest moments as he was spoiled that day," Olivier said.

"Another great moment for him was when a local woman gave him a huge bone which he chewed on most of the day.

“He is however at his happiest going after suspects."

Blackie and Olivier were involved in a serious vehicle accident in October 2021. Olivier said aid that his beloved dog was never the same after the incident and started showing behavioural changes. In recent months he also started noticing oticing that Blackie was slowly ly losing his sight.

A decision ion was made to retire Blackie from active duty ty and this transition n will be done over r the next