K9 Chase – South Simcoe, Canada

Died 4/3/23
Handler – Const. Brett Jacques

South Simcoe Police mourn passing of K9 coworker

All dogs go to heaven, as the saying goes, and heaven just gained another good dog with the passing of retired police dog Chase. Ontario’s South Simcoe Police are mourning the passing of retired police dog Chase. Police say the retired K9 passed away on Monday, April 3, at the age of 11. Chase proudly served alongside Police Const. Brett Jacques from 2013 to 2017, when Jacques retired, police say.PC Jacques was the first K9 handler at the South Simcoe Police Service, starting in 1998 with partner Police Service Dog Sampson. The name Chase was picked from a list of names submitted by school children who summited names to a contest held by South Simcoe Police. More than 300 entries were received, but PC Jacques said the submission of “Chase” best described what Chase liked to do best. In a statement, Brett spoke about how Chase truly belonged to the community and the many positive interactions Chase had in Bradford and Innisfil. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Chase and Brett for their dedication and service,” police said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Brett and his family at this time,” police said.

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.