K9 Hunter – Middletown, Connecticut

Died 9/1/17
Handler – Officer Michael D’Aresta

AGENCY SAYING GOODBYE TO K9 OFFICER

An emotional photo of a Connecticut police department saying goodbye to a K9 officer is pulling on hearts across the country. Officer Michael D’Aresta’s K9 partner, Hunter, had been ill for the past several days. Officer Michael D’Aresta unfortunately had to make the toughest decision any K9 handler dreads making Friday evening.ABC11 reports that tests revealed that Hunter had an aggressive form of liver cancer, and the veterinarian’s recommendation was that he be euthanized. So Friday afternoon, officers with the Middletown Police Department lined up to pay their respects to Hunter, and offer support to his handler, Officer D’Aresta, as he carried Hunter into the veterinarian’s office to be put down. As his brothers and sisters in blue saluted his partner, Officer D’Aresta held Hunter close. Officer D’Aresta and Hunter have served the City of Middletown together since 2007. Connecticut Facebook page they wrote: “Hunter and Officer D’Aresta have been such a huge part of our department the past ten years. Such a dedicated K-9 team. It will never be the same. Rest in Peace Hunter you’ve done well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Michael D’Aresta and his family.”

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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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