K9 Hondo – Gold Coast, Australia

Handler – Officer Nick Donald

Gold Coast farewells beloved police dog

The Gold Coast community has bid farewell to beloved police dog Hondo, who has died after a seven-year career in the force.The four-legged enforcer had hundreds of arrests under his collar, including apprehending a wanted man in 2015, and chasing down a teenage car thief earlier this year.Throughout his tenure in the Gold Coast dog squad, Hondo worked alongside his handler, Nick Donald, who has plenty of fond memories – including of when the pooch found an offender hiding in an unusual spot.”He’s gone down the back of a barbecue and I thought he’s looking for a sausauge or is there a bit of meat down there?” Donald said.”All of a sudden the barbecue flips over and out comes the offender screaming while Hondo’s gotten them by the leg.”Despite his formidable reputation on the job, Hondo was a big softy at home, enjoying beachside ball games and boating. After retirement, he found a loving home with the Steel family, with the support of the Blue Paws association.”He lived the life of luxury,” Kristy Steel said.”There was air conditioning, there was scotch finger biscuits, there was a hydro bath every two weeks.”Hondo spent his last day surrounded by loved ones, including a visit from Santa.

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.