K9 Mina – U.S. Border Patrol / Texas

Died – 5/2/22
Handler – Agent Saldivar

K9 Mina succumbed to a rattlesnake bite sustained the previous day while she and her handler were searching for a group of illegal aliens along the railroad tracks near the intersection of Carriers Drive and I-35 Frontage Road in Laredo, Texas. She was walking in and out of tall grass when she sustained two bites from a rattlesnake. She was transported to an emergency veterinarian where she passed away the following morning. K9 Mina had served with the United States Border Patrol for four years. K9 Mina was a valued member of the U.S. Border Patrol, and was credited with rescuing 572 people and seizing over $1,122,641 in controlled substances during the course of her four-year career. “We are forever grateful for Canine Mina’s Service to her country,” the U.S. Border Patrol Laredo Sector said. “She will never be forgotten. May she rest in peace. We extend our sincerest condolences to Service Canine Mina’s handler, BPA Saldivar and his family during this difficult time.”

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.