K9 Dany – South Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Died – 4/3/24
Handler – Detective Sergeant Devin Thompson

End of Watch for South Williamsport Police K9 Dany

Retired South Williamsport Police K9 Dany was laid to rest on April 3.”It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of retired South Williamsport Police K9 Dany on April 3rd,” wrote the South Williamsport Police on their Facebook page.”Dany was experiencing mobility issues and arthritis that were hampering his quality of life. Dany’s End of Watch came at home, surrounded by his beloved family – former handler Detective Sergeant Devin Thompson and family – and his two fur sisters Mia and Liberty. He is deeply mourned by both of his families, the Thompson’s and the South Williamsport Police Department,” the post continued.According to South Williamsport Police, K9 Dany served the force beginning in 2010 and retired in 2018 to “live his best life.” He was 14.5 years old, considered very sociable, and led a distinguished career.Dany was purchased from Slovakia through donations from local businesses and the area VFW, according to On the PULSE. Each subsequent year Thompson was able to raise the roughly $2,000 needed for training, food and medical expenses through local donations and fundraisers.”During K9 Dany’s eight-year career he served the citizens of South Williamsport and Lycoming County with honor and distinction.” The post outlined the K9 officer’s stats:
over 400 deployments
• instrumental in the arrests of over 200 individuals
• assisted in the seizure of over $300,000.00 of illegal narcotics and tens of thousands in drug money
• tracked and successfully assisted in the capture of several wanted felons recovered numerous firearms
K9 Dany also assisted the Department of Homeland Security Air Interdiction Unit, U.S. Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Laboratory Response Team, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office and the Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office, Lycoming County Prison and the Pre-Release Center along with every municipal police agency in Lycoming County, according to the post.The post went on to further memorialize the beloved K9:”K9 Dany enjoyed sharing chicken nuggets with his dad in their patrol vehicle after every training day. At home and around his friends and colleagues, K9 Dany was as loveable as they come. He loved to be pet and loved on. K9 Dany also loved his human Mom. He was often seen following her around just so he could be close to her and enjoyed long cuddle sessions. K9 Dany was a beloved member of the Thompson family by every definition.”The borough chose not to continue its K9 program after Dany’s retirement, according to reporting by On the PULSE. Upon the dog’s retirement, Thompson was able to purchase Dany from the borough for a ceremonial $1.

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.