K9 Thera-Dakota – Watertown, South Dakota

Died – 12/22/17
Handler – Sgt. Kirk Ellis

Former drug detection dog for WPD passes away shortly after retirement

A retired Watertown Police Department K9 unit passed away Friday afternoon. Thera-Dakota, a Belgian Maltese narcotics detection dog, passed away at the age of 9 due to bone cancer. Thera-Dakota had been living at the home of her handler, Sgt. Kirk Ellis, who adopted her after the Watertown City Council unanimously granted her retirement nearly three months ago. Thera-Dakota’s retirement came shortly after her cancer diagnosis. The symptoms first appeared after she broke her hip jumping out of Ellis’ vehicle one morning. The WPD first broke the news on Facebook. Since beginning her WPD tenure on Oct. 11, 2010, Thera-Dakota was involved in several notable narcotics busts, including detecting 4.5 pounds of marijuana and cash bills worth $9,000 in a vehicle. Thera-Dakota was also adept at pacifying agitated persons in Ellis’ vehicle. As intense as Thera-Dakota was on the beat, she was just as friendly and accommodating off it. Ellis reported that Thera-Dakota enjoyed getting petted, especially by children. The WPD has previously indicated it expects to get a new narcotics detection dog sometime this spring.

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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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