K9 Kobi – Burlington, New Jersey

Died – 3/7/21
Handler – Officer Charles Haney

It is with a very heavy heart that we are making this post. K9 Kobi passed away tonight surrounded by his handler and his family. As you all know, he has been battling an immune disease with underlying conditions which are still unknown. He fought hard to stay with his family but unfortunately the disease was too much for him. This happy go lucky dog’s life was cut way too short for unknown reasons. K9 Kobi was an excellent partner and a loving family dog at the same time. We are all devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with his handler and best friend, Officer Charles Haney. Officer Haney and his family are very thankful for all of your prayers and thoughts. K9 Kobi thank you for your service. We take it from here.

Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.