K9 Jager – Shelton, Connecticut

Died – 6/13/17
Handler – Detective Christopher Nugent

Retired Shelton police dog dies

Police dog Jager came to the department in 2008 partially through a donation from People’s United Bank. Jager was paired with Detective Christopher Nugent. Jager assisted several local, state and federal agencies during his career and approximately 75 successful tracks, police said in a release. The police dog apprehended as many as 15 dangerous suspects, they said. Police described Jager as an “effective tool” and an “asset,” working well with Nugent. Nugent and Jager were also active in the community, according to the release. The pair visited area schools and attended community functions and programs. Jager retired in 2014 and continued to live with Nugent.

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.