K9 Gizmo – Loch Ryan, Scotland

Died – 8/8/24

Police dog Gizmo who recovered 9 million worth of drugs dies

A Police Scotland dog which helped to discover drugs worth more than 9 million has died.PD Gizmo had been part of the force for 10 years and had been based at the Loch Ryan Port and assisted in drug recoveries across Scotland.The sprocker spaniel died on Thursday 8 August, aged 11.Detective Sergeant David Hanlon said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of police dog Gizmo, who was a fundamental part of our team.“Police dogs are a crucial support in our work to keep our communities safe and deter crime.“Gizmo was a valued colleague, and he will be sadly missed, especially by his former handler.”

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.