Killer's instinct helps fight poaching scourge

A dog called Killer has helped bring two suspected rhino poachers to book.

Killer is a Belgian shepherd, a canine being used by K9 Conservation founder Conrad Geza de Rosner in the Kruger Park and other game reserves to help track poachers.

"These dogs are specially trained to bite or apprehend a suspect on command and to detain a suspect quickly and with minimal force," said De Rosner, who started the K9 unit in the Kruger.

The two alleged poachers that Killer helped apprehend recently made an appearance in the Nelspruit Regional Court.

Andilino Mulcube, 20, and Jeremano Tive, 20, are accused of rhino poaching.

The two were found in possession of rhino horn, according to the charge sheet. Both are in custody and their next court appearance is scheduled for October 3.

Killer helped track the two after a dead rhino, apparently killed by poachers, was discovered on January 19 in the Nwanetsi area of the park.

De Rosner said the Belgian shepherds (or Belgian Malinois) are also used to detect firearms and bullet casings and to perform a restraining function.

He said the dogs were trained to ignore all animal scents and track only human suspects.

"These dogs have an extremely high-prey drive and are successful in both rural and urban environments.

"They are very obedient and highly trainable. They handle the heat well in the bushveld. They are also very sociable with other dogs and bond easily with handlers," De Rosner said.

The breed has been used as a working dog for personal protection, detection, police work and search and rescue.

The dogs are also used by the US Secret Service and Royal Australian Air Force.

In the US armed forces, Malinois are the preferred breed for use as working dogs.

The dog is also used extensively by Unit Oketz, the Israeli Defence Forces'canine special forces. Oketz favours the slighter build of the Malinois over that of the German shepherd and Rottweiler, which were formerly used.

"Malinois are the perfect size to be picked up by their handlers, while still being able to attack their enemies, and their shorter coats and fair and neutral colours make them less prone to heatstroke," De Rosner said.

According to a report in the New Yorker, the US Navy Seals used a Belgian Malinois war dog named Cairo in the Osama bin Laden operation.