Police investigations are underway to determine how the Ministry’s K-9 was exposed to a suspected overdose. Police have confirmed the incident and said the Police Dog, K-9 Estelle, is getting better and they are hoping for a full recovery.
Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu said a special team of veterinarians from New Zealand traveled to Samoa to treat Estelle, however it is unclear what Estelle may have overdosed on.
Acting Commissioner of Police Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga.
“Ua overdose le tatou ta’ifau, o la fo’i ua fai ai suesuega i ē sa agavaa e tau’ave le ta’ifau, pe sa iai se faatamala i le taimi o aoaoga o le taifau.. O lea foi sa omai nai fomai mai fafo, ma o la ua faasolosolo manuia.”
An investigation into what happened has been launched and negligence of training officers and the K-9 handler has not been ruled out.
Samoa Global News understands that the New Zealand Police K-9 Unit has been assisting the Samoa Police and the Ministry of Customs, by providing detection dogs to help strengthen border control and prevent the importation of illegal drugs into the country.
In 2023 the Government of New Zealand handed over K-9 Estelle to the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services to assist Samoa in efforts to combat crime especially illegal substances and drugs
K-9 Estelle being handed over from NZ Police to SPPCS. Photo 📸 Samoa Police.
Estelle is with the Ministry of Police and Euro is with the Ministry of Customs. For now, only the Customs department’s K-9 is being used for ongoing investigations.
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The Commissioner said both departments have been asking for more dogs for a long time, because having only two dogs is not enough for the protection needed atSamoa’s borders and during Police raids.
During Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi’s press conference last weekalso confirmed that negotiations are underway with the New Zealand Police Department for two extra K-9 detection dogs to further assist the Ministry of Police in combating transnational crime at the borders.
We wish K-9 Estelle a quick recovery and thank her for her service to Samoa 🇼🇸
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