K9 Cuba – Missouri State Police

Died – 6/22/20
Handler – Trooper Ryan Zeller

K-9 Assigned to Jasper County Area Laid to Rest

Monday at 4:30 pm in Branson, a local K9 Trooper for the state of Missouri was laid to rest. K9 Cuba went on a visit to the University of Missouri for a hernia repair, while in surgery the veterinarian discovered that Cuba had cancer and it had spread over his abdomen. Cuba is returned home to say goodbye. Cuba was partnered with Trooper Ryan Zeller in September of 2012 and has been an active part of the patrol ever since. Cuba’s health would decline rapidly, so the family decided the humane thing to do was to put him to rest. “We are deeply saddened by this, but it is best for Cuba,” said Laura Zeller. He served side by side, jointly with Ryan, and they were inseparable partners. There will be an honor walk on Monday to honor K9 Cuba and Trooper Zeller in their last moment together. Officers and the officer’s son’s baseball team (Branson Junior High) will be lined up at Animal Care in downtown Branson for the honor walk.

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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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