K9 Gussy – Ottawa, Canada

Handler – Sgt. Robert Nilles

Ottawa police announce death of K-9 Gussy, about a month after retirement

The Ottawa Police Department announced Monday the death of retired K-9 Gussy. Gussy retired from the department about a month ago, after serving along side her partner Police Sgt. Robert Nilles for nine years.Gussy had retired because of health issues and lived with the Nilles family.“During her service with her handler and partner Sgt. Robert Nilles, K-9 Gussy made an impact on illegal drugs within our community,” said Police Chief Brent Roalson at the time of Gussy’s retirement. “K-9 Gussy was well known and received by the community. Her passion for work and her love for the citizens she served as well as the officers she worked with will be missed.”The Ottawa Police Department extended condolences Nilles and his family.

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.