Just three weeks after the death of his best K9 friend, Mufasa who was laid to rest after succumbing to cancer, K9 Bentley gave up on the will to live without him and was sadly euthanized after suffering from cervical spondylosis.
The once energetic and loyal German Shepherd patrolled the streets alongside his inseparable companion, Mufasa ensuring the safety of the communities. The dynamic duo, admired by their human counterparts, faced every challenge together. They both graduated from training school together in 2016 and were deployed to Gqeberha, and performed their duties on the same shift with their handlers.
Bentley, a patrol explosive dog had been with his handler, Sgt Wallace Kettledas since 2016 and both shared an enviable bond. In 2023, he achieved a total of 16 positive tackles and arrests. One could assume that when tragedy struck on Mufasa, Bentley was left heartbroken.
On 07 November 2023, as Mufasa was laid to rest, Bentley’s health took a sudden turn for the worse and it was as if he couldn’t bear the weight of grief without his friend. Bentley refused to rise and had to be carried by his handler. He was sent to the state vet in Pretoria who indicated that due to his advanced deterioration, it was best to let him go. Bentley was sent back and on 23 November 2023, he was finally laid to rest.
As Bentley peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge to be with his companion, Mufasa, there was a sense of closure and unity at the K9 unit in Gqeberha. In 2022, Bentley and Sgt Kettledas had won the Provincial Excellence Award for best K9 dog and handler for most tackles.
The memory of Bentley and Mufasa continues to inspire new generations of police dogs and handlers, reminding everyone that even in the face of loss, the bonds we forge can create a legacy that transcends time.
