K9 Klaus – Santa Barbara, California

Died – 2/7/20
Handler – Officer J. Lombardo

Police mourning loss of K9 Klaus

Santa Barbara Police Department on Saturday announced the sudden death of police K9 Klaus. The German Shepherd was partnered with Santa Barbara Police Officer J. Lombardo. The dog experienced a medical emergency Feb. 7 and was immediately taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment, Anthony Wagner, police spokesman, said in a news release. “Tragically, Klaus did not survive the medical condition and passed away,” Mr. Wagner said. Police did not disclose the age of the dog. “Officer Lombardo and K-9 Klaus were partnered together and had begun to develop a very promising career as a K-9 team,” Mr. Wagner said in a statement. “The two had spent many hundreds-of-hours training and many shifts working together to make the Santa Barbara community a safer place. Santa Barbara Police K-9’s live with their handlers and become part of the family. The bond between handler and K-9 is an essential element for an effective partnership. “Please join us in extending heartfelt sorrow to Officer Lombardo. Klaus was a champion, we honor his memory.

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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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