K9 Baro – Calgary, Canada

Died – 2/1/18

Members of the Calgary police canine unit are mourning the loss of one of their own. Joining the service in the spring of 2010, Police Service Dog Baro died on Feb. 1 after a short illness. Baro, a nine-year-old German shepherd, was born in the Netherlands before coming to Calgary to train with the city’s canine unit in general patrol and drug detection. A message posted to the Calgary police Facebook page said Baro will be remembered for his big head and goofiness. “He remained diligent and served the members of the Service and the citizens of Calgary throughout every shift — loyal to the end,” the statement read .According to his profile in the 2018 Calgary Police Foundation Canine Heroes calendar, he lived at the home of his handler with CPS cadaver dog Berkley. Baro’s death comes just months after police dog Jester was seriously injured after being stabbed by a fleeing suspect on July 30. He returned to duty after a six-week recovery period. No information was made available on the nature of Baro’s illness.

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.