K9 Dakota – Wahkiakum, Washington

Handler – Undersheriff Gary Howell

Sheriff’s office mourns passing of K-9 Dakota

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our K-9 Dakota. Dakota suffered from a very aggressive cancer in her chest and her health declined rapidly in the last few weeks. She passed peacefully at the Country Pet Veterinary Clinic with Undersheriff Gary Howell, Terrie Howell and Sheriff Howie and his wife Debra by her side. K-9 Dakota has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 12 years. During that time Undersheriff Howell trained with her by his side, raising her and certifying her to become our county drug dog. She discovered and alerted to numerous hidden drugs on many cases. This includes search warrants where she assisted outside agencies to include the Coast Guard and neighboring counties, finding drugs and narcotics including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Undersheriff Howell took K-9 Dakota to many school functions, assemblies, and community events, becoming a near and dear mascot for the Wahkiakum community. We want to thank all of the residents and businesses who helped contribute to the care and training of the Sheriff’s Office K-9. And we extend a warm thank you to veterinarian Lisa Bartel from the Country Vet Clinic who gave her time and dedication to care for Dakota during her 12 years of life. R.I.P. K-9 Dakota; your life was dedicated to public service and you will always be remembered.

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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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