K9 Zino – Juab, Utah

Died – 7/11/22
Handler – Sergeant Chris Painter

Juab County grieves death of police K9, Zino

It is with broken hearts we share the passing of Retired PSD K9 Zino due to medical complications. He loved going to work and chasing the bad guys with his handler, Sergeant Chris Painter. They had been doing so for over 7 years. Zino and his handler worked hard getting drugs off the streets. He was there to make the bad guys stand down and surrender. He loved to be heard over the radio and couldn’t stop barking if the sirens were going. During his working years and since his retirement, 3 years ago, Zino has been a huge part of the Painter family.Thank you K9 Zino for your countless hours of service and dedicated heart in keeping the public, your fellow officers, and your dad safe.

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.