K9 Vista – Niagara, Canada

Died – 9/5/15
Handler – Sergeant Scott Johnstone

Niagara Regional Police Service dog has died

The Niagara Regional Police Service Canine Unit mourns the loss of one of its veteran Police Service Dogs. After being diagnosed with cancer just this past Saturday, PSD Vesta passed away earlier today. PSD Vesta began her career with the NRP in 2009, at the age of 2. She had been certified in general patrol as well as narcotics detection. Vesta was a partner to Sergeant Scott Johnstone and together the team had been responsible for the successful resolution countless critical calls for service. Often, Vesta’s skills and abilities would be demonstrated, serving as an example during the training and certification of other K-9 teams from across Ontario and New York State. The NRP says PSD Vesta will be missed but her contribution to the safety of the residents and visitors to the Niagara Region will not be forgotten.

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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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