K9 Baron – George Town, Cayman Islands

Died 7/9/22
Handler – PC Bill McLaughlin

RCIPS dog dies in kennels at police station

The RCIPS has confirmed that an investigation is underway into the death last month of a Belgian shepherd from the K-9 Unit in the kennels at the George Town Police Station. CNS has learned that ‘Baron’, who joined the unit in 2018 and was noted for his crimefighting skills was left in the heat without sufficient water.The RCIPS has not commented on the allegations but told us that he had died overnight on Saturday, 9 July, and the matter had been referred to the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Welfare and Control Unit, which is overseeing the investigation.“Baron was a Belgian shepherd breed dog who was a valued member of our K-9 team, and had given five years of service to the RCIPS,” a police spokesperson stated. “We extend our deepest condolences to his handler and the other officers in the K-9 Unit.”According to the police website, the K-9 Unit falls under Specialist Operations, which is headed up by Superintendent Brad Ebanks. In 2018 the unit had three dog handlers and was planning to increase the number of dogs. CNS has contacted the RCIPS for an update on the current number and we are awaiting a response.

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.