K9 Molly – North Wales

Died – 4/9/19

Retired North Wales Police dog Molly who helped crack more than 2,000 drug cases dies

A retired police dog who helped crack more than 2,000 drug cases has died. Molly, a 14-year-old black Labrador who worked alongside Cheshire Constabulary and North Wales Police for 11 years died on Tuesday. As well as assisting officers with more than 2,000 arrests, she had been involved in catching criminals in possession of drugs with a large street value. Following her duties with police, she had spent her retirement with her handler and family. Paying tribute to the Labrador on the Cheshire and North Wales Police Dogs Facebook page yesterday, officers described Molly as a “phenomenal drugs dog” who served “eleven exceptional years” with the police. The post said: “It is with great sadness we announce the passing of retired PD Molly aged 14yrs. “Molly was a phenomenal drugs dog and served 11, exceptional years accounting for over 2,000 arrests some of which were of very high, street value narcotics. “She spent her retirement with her handler & family who will miss her greatly. “Run free over the rainbow with your K9 pals Molly, your duty is done.” Hundreds of tributes came flooding in through social media following the news, with many sending thoughts to her handler and her family. One wrote: “God bless you Molly. Thank you for your wonderful work.”

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.