K9 Buster – Dumfries, Scotland

Died 11/11/20

Tributes flood in for hero drug detection dog after retired police pooch dies

Tributes have been paid for a hero police drug detection dog who has died. Spaniel PD Buster was responsible for sniffing out £5.3 million worth of drugs and more than £700,000 in illicit cash during his long service. He worked tirelessly at Loch Ryan Port in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, before he retired from the force in 2015. He died on Wednesday. Paying tribute, Police Scotland said in a statement: “We’re heartbroken to announce the RPD Buster has passed over the rainbow bridge today. “RPD Buster was based at Loch Ryan Port until he retired in 2015. “RPD Buster was one of Police Scotland’s finest drug detection dogs, where he played a massive role in the fight against organized crime and counter terrorism, playing a significant role in keeping our borders safe by finding over £5.3 million worth of drugs and over £700,000 of cash used in organized crime. “Rest in peace, Buster.”

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.