K9 Tach – Belfast, Ireland

Police dog Tach has died following a short illness

The PSNI have paid tribute to a much valued police dog who has died following a short illness. Tach, a Belgian Malinois, retired from active duty in 2015 after working with the police across Northern Ireland and often in Co Fermanagh during a successful six year career. “Tach served with us since 2009 and quickly earned a reputation for his remarkable ability to track down missing people and sniff out criminals. “After more than six years loyal service he retired in 2015 to live at home with his handler and family for some well earned rest. “Tach was well known right across the service, especially the Fermanagh area, where he was often seen hard at work with his handler, assisting in all types of calls, giving officers on the ground an invaluable resource in their apprehension of criminals.”

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.