K9 Hugh – St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

Died – 1/22/22 

St. Mary sheriff, deputies mourn loss of K9

K9 Hugh, a 3-year-old German Shepherd, died early Saturday morning, according to St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. SMPSO’s spokesperson announced the news Saturday afternoon, Jan. 22 on the department’s Facebook page, along with condolences from the sheriff over this loss. The dog had been with the department since October, was trained in narcotics detention and criminal apprehension, and was currently in training with his handler to be certified together, according to SMPSO. “K9 Hugh was with us a short time, but his loss is no less felt by his handler and all of us,” said St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith. “He was part of our K9 Division and will be missed. Thank you for your service, K9 Hugh.” According to SMPSO, a vet was caring for K9 Hugh for an unrelated medical procedure when he began showing complications from an arterial condition that is common in large-frame German Shepherds. He passed away despite having received medical attention.

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.