K9 Link – Wellington, New Zealand

Died – 9/7/16
Handler – Constable Stu Rota and Senior Constable Lloyd McKay

Model police dog Link put to sleep

One of New Zealand’s most famous police dogs and an inspiration for fluffy toys has been put to sleep. Link, a German Shepherd, once tracked an offender almost 2km down roads and back alleys, eventually finding him on the roof of Mongrel Mob headquarters in Porirua. In 2013 he came third in the national police dog championships. The canine landed a modelling contract – of sorts – the same year, when police decided to model soft toys after him. “It is not only Link’s striking features and good looks that have made him a police model, but also his ability at obedience, tracking and agility while on duty,” police said at the time. It was a tough decision putting him down on Thursday, police said. Link had health issues, which old injuries were aggravating. Link spent his working life in Wellington and Wairarapa “making numerous catches with Constable Stu Rota and Senior Constable Lloyd McKay,” Wellington District police said. The dog also featured in TV show Dog Squad.

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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.
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