K9 Cane – Logan County, West Virginia

Died – 11/13/19
Handler – Deputy Cole Piatt

Sheriff’s office mourns loss of K9 Cane

Officials from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday morning that the department’s newly trained K9, Cane, passed away about 5:30 a.m. Thursday following a short illness this week.“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our K9 Cane. Cane sustained a minor injury and was placed out of service Tuesday, Nov. 12, by Northside Animal Clinic. “Cane’s unknown condition worsened and he was transported to MedVet in Columbus where he was being held and treated.” At the animal hospital, K9 Cane went into cardiac arrest and lost his life in the arms of his handler, Deputy Cole Piatt, LCSO officials said. Aug. 8, the then 15-month-old German shepherd from Slovakia started his career at the sheriff’s office with Deputy Piatt. Cane and Deputy Piatt trained together at the Von der Haus Gill German Shepherds & Police K9 Academy in Wapakoneta. The pair became state certified for duty Sept. 25. “K9 Cane had a promising career with our office. The passing of Cane will be a great loss for our agency, but even greater loss for Cane’s handler, Deputy Piatt,” agency officials said in a press release. “The Logan County Sheriff’s Office, local K9 training partners and the community mourn the loss of Cane. We are thankful for his service. Rest in peace, K9 Cane.” Memorial donations will be accepted through Citizen’s Federal Savings & Loan, 110 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311, in care of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office Behind The Badge Volunteers Inc., with memo “K9 Cane.”

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.