K9 Dino – St. Landry Parish, Louisiana

Died 7/2/24
Handler – Major Lance Guidroz

St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office announces death of retired K9

A retired K9 for the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has died.According to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, retired narcotics K9 “Dino” passed away at the age of 12 on July 2. “Dino” served the citizens of St. Landry Parish from 2013 until his retirement in 2023.During his time in service, “Dino” was responsible for the detection of hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics and numerous felony apprehensions.In 2019, “Dino” placed 2nd in Narcotics Detection and LA D.P.S. & C. trials. “Dino” was a faithful partner and loyal companion to his handler, Major Lance Guidroz, for many years.“Dino” happily lived out his retirement with Major Guidroz and his family at their home.

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.