K9 Aslan – Santa Ana, California

Handler – Corporal Martinez

Santa Ana police dog dies of cancer

The Police Department announced the passing of K-9 Aslan on Tuesday evening. Aslan was a member of the force for six years, partnering with Corporal S. Martinez, the Police Department said.The Police Department would regularly update the public on Aslan’s exploits and outfits. In 2018, Aslan was credited in the seizure of 10,000 rounds of ammo, guns and body armor from a home in Santa Ana.The German shepherd was the only certified firearm detection dog with the Police Department.In 2019, Aslan and Martinez took third place in the Obedience Competition at the Murrieta K-9 Trials.The Police Department released a statement in which it thanked Aslan for his years of service and sent condolences to his handler.“Our deepest condolences go out to Corporal Martinez & his family. Rest in peace, Aslan. Your K9 partners will take it from here.”

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.