K9 Nitro – Cheshire and North Wales

Died 1/7/24

Cheshire and North Wales Police Dogs Team Mourns the Loss of PD Nitro

It’s a day of mourning for the Cheshire and North Wales Police Dogs team as they bid farewell to PD Nitro, a highly respected general-purpose police dog, whose death they announced recently. Known for his robust presence and effectiveness in duty, PD Nitro was a force to be reckoned with, demonstrating a unique blend of strength in his role and a gentler side to his colleagues and handler.Nitro was not only a working dog but also a beloved companion. Following a distinguished career, he enjoyed his retirement in the care of his handler and family. His passing leaves not just a professional void, but also a personal one, as he was a source of joy and companionship to those who knew him. The team expressed their sorrow and gratitude for Nitro’s service in a heartfelt Facebook post, reflecting on his significant contributions.General-purpose police dogs like Nitro are trained for a range of tasks, including searching for missing people, tracking suspects, and discovering evidence. The typical breeds for this work are German Shepherds, Dutch Herders, and Malinois, chosen for their intelligence and physical capabilities. Nitro’s contributions were significant in this realm, aiding in life-saving efforts and the pursuit of justice. Often acting as a crime deterrent and providing protection for his team, his work had a tangible impact. Handlers in the Cheshire and North Wales Police Dogs team often work with both a general-purpose dog and a specialist dog, forming a deep, trusting bond. This was clearly evident in the relationship between Nitro and his handler. The alliance between handler and canine is built on trust, respect, and a deep bond, highlighting the synergy necessary for such demanding and sensitive work.

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.