K9 Colt – Shelby County, Ohio

Died 12/18/20
1st Handler – Sgt. Brad Pleiman
2nd Handler – Deputy Frank Bleigh

“It is with a broken heart that we announce that on Friday, December 18th at 1530 hours we will allow Colt to visit his special place for the last time. Just about every shift, Deputy Frank Bleigh would take Colt to Shelby Hills to run and play. Colt looked forward to the times he got to run around the hill during or after his shift. It was even more special when kids would be sledding down the hill on a snowy day and he could run and play with them. Colt worked as a dual purpose K-9 for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office from 2010 to 2019. His first handler, Sgt. Brad Pleiman worked Colt from 2010 to 2012 and Deputy Frank Bleigh from 2012 to 2019. Colt made many apprehensions and drug locates, Colt worked hard and played even harder. When he retired, he stayed at home, relaxing from a dedicated career to the citizens of Shelby County. During the past few months Colt has declined in his health and was diagnosed with Spinal Myelopathy and it’s became hard for him to move around and hold his bowels. A decision had to be made as to the pain and quality of life Colt was having. So it’s been decided, it is best that we end the suffering Colt is going through. We would like to invite everyone to pass or stop to say one last goodbye to Colt. We will be having a drive by where you can see or pet Colt. Colt will be there with his handler Deputy Frank Bleigh and Lori Bleigh. Once everyone gets through the pass by, Colt will drive by the Sheriff’s Office for one last time. He will then ride to the Animal Shelter, where he will make his last call. Once Colt crosses the rainbow bridge, he will be escorted to Dayton for his cremation. Colt will be placed in a special handmade urn and some of his ashes will be scattered at an undetermined location at a later date. I know these times are hard due to COVID-19, but this was the best option we could come up with to make sure we comply with the social distancing orders and still honor Colt’s service. So it would be nice if we can honor Colt’s service with this drive by to say our last goodbye’s to a special “Sheriff’s Deputy”. The drive by will go up the entrance to Shelby Hills off of Children’s Home Road to the rear of the flag pole where Colt will be and then down the exit toward Children’s Home Road. As we remember the times Colt would run around the office knowing exactly where to go get treats, it would be appreciated to give Colt a last treat.

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.