K9 Lazer – Falfurrias, TX – U.S. Border Patrol K9

Died – 6/20/16

Border Patrol K-9 Dies From Extreme Heat While Tracking Illegal Immigrants

A U.S. Border Patrol police dog (K-9) died from extreme heat complications, while looking for illegal immigrants in distress. The K-9 and his partner had been at a ranch in the remote area known as Falfurrias which is located about 80 miles north of the Texas/Mexico border. Agents assigned to the area located in Brooks County were tracking down a group of illegal immigrants that needed help on Monday. K-9 Lazer and his handler had been part of the group searching for the illegal immigrants in the remote area when the dog began to show signs of heat exhaustion, information provided to Breitbart Texas by U.S. Border Patrol revealed. The agent tried to cool down his partner and rushed him to a veterinary clinic. The efforts to save the dog at the clinic proved unsuccessful, as Lazer eventually died from heat related complications. According to Border Patrol, Lazer had been behind 93 apprehensions during his time with the agency. The U.S. Border Patrol has an immigration checkpoint near the ranching city of Falfurrias. While the checkpoint is approximately 80 miles north of the Texas border, the area continues to see very large numbers of drug and human smugglers traversing the area. In an effort to get around the checkpoint, human smugglers force illegal immigrants to take long hikes across the harsh brush terrain of the ranches near Falfurrias. As the summer temperatures reach over the 100 degree mark, additional dangers are faced not only by the immigrants but also by the agents and the K-9s that work in the area. “K-9 Lazer was an asset to the Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) team. He was used in numerous trainings, events and apprehensions,” said Border Patrol RGV Sector Chief Manuel Padilla. “Our sector suffered a great loss as these loyal companions have given their lives to ensure their handlers, fellow agents and out community members stay 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.