K9 Sam – Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Died – 3/3/17
Handler – PC George Shearer

Police dog has died after horror A90 smash that left cop handler fighting for life

A police dog has died after a road accident which seriously injured an officer who was driving a marked van. The accident happened on the A90 near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, on Tuesday February 28 at 11:50 p.m.. It involved a Police Scotland Peugeot Partner van driven by a 46-year-old dog handler and a blue Vauxhall Astra. The 58-year-old man driving the Astra and the police dog handler, PC George Shearer, are now in a stable condition. However, Sam, a nine-year-old black Labrador, was put down on Friday following complications after surgery. Superintendent Steven Irvine, of the Specialist Operations Unit, said: “As a force we care a great deal about our dogs and although it was an extremely difficult decision to make, it was agreed with very heavy hearts this was the best course of action for Sam. “Sam was a much-loved and valued member of the Police Scotland family – as is the case with all our dogs – and he will be sorely missed. ”We are extremely proud of the fantastic crime-fighter Sam became and will always be grateful to him for the loyalty he showed his handler and the force.“

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.