K9 Bruno – Brownsville, Texas

Died – 4/23/15
Handler – Officer Juan Villarreal

K9 Bruno Dies from heat stroke

A Brownsville police officer was charged with the death of his K-9 partner. Investigators said the officer failed to follow protocol. The Cameron County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. They handed the case to the district attorney who filed a charge of animal cruelty against the K-9 handler, Juan Villarreal. K-9 Officer Bruno was five years old, when he died in April. The Brownsville Police Department did not report the death to the public. They are also not commenting on the case. District Attorney Luis Saenz said the Belgian Malinois died from a heat stroke. Saenz said the K-9 was tied up in the officer’s backyard.
“All dogs are special,” Saenz said. “This dog was even more special, because of the job that he rendered. He is law enforcement. He has a job to perform and they’re very good at it,” he said. “We were able to obtain convictions in court on drug cases, because of the dog doing his job.” The officer also violated protocol by tying the animal up. Section M states “The handler will not tie the canine to any object.” The violation is an administration violation. It is unclear if the officer is facing any consequences within the department.
Saenz said Villarreal is cooperation and was very remorseful. He was charged with a Class A Misdemeanor. If Villarreal is found guilty, he faces up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. His next court date is set for later this month. The Cameron County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. They handed the case to the district attorney who filed a charge of animal cruelty against the K-9 handler, Juan Villarreal. The Brownsville Police Department did not report the death to the public. They are also not commenting on the case. District Attorney Luis Saenz said the Belgian Malinois died from a heat stroke.

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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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