K9 Luna – Stevens Point, Wisconsin

K9 Died – 9/4/19
Handler – Ofc. J.D. Ballew

Stevens Point Police K-9 dies after eating poisonous mushroom

On Monday, Sept. 2nd, K9 Luna suffered multiple seizures and after being evaluated by veterinarian, Dr. Sarah Novak, at the Stevens Point Animal Hospital Luna was transported to the Animal Referral Center Fox Valley (ARC). Luna was unresponsive upon arrival at approx. 11:00pm. At approx. 2:00am on Sept. 4th Luna took a turn for the worse and it is with profound sadness that we must report that the Stevens Point Police Department lost one of their own, and without a doubt, most beloved member this morning. Luna died of multiple organ failure. Luna was one of the Stevens Point Police Department’s first K9 Officers and began her career in April of 2018 with K9 Fala. Luna was a two and half year old Belgian Malinois trained in drug identification, tracking and apprehension. In Luna’s, short career she served the community honorably and was loved by everyone she came in contact with. Luna lived with her handler, Lead Ofc. J.D. Ballew, and his family.

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.