K9 Koda – North Haven, Connecticut

Died – 6/25/24
Handler – Officer Alan Cantele

North Haven Police Honor K-9 Koda As She ‘Crosses The Rainbow Bridge’

Koda joined the department in Jan. 2012, when she began working side by side with Officer Alan Cantele to detect narcotics in North Haven.The North Haven Police Department is honoring the life of their retired K-9 Koda, who passed away Tuesday.”It is with heavy hearts that we announce retired K-9 Koda made the journey over the rainbow bridge yesterday,” the department began the tribute, which was shared on Facebook.Koda joined the department in Jan. 2012, when she began working side by side with Officer Alan Cantele to detect narcotics in North Haven.”K-9 Koda served the town of North Haven well, but she served Alan’s family even better,” officers wrote.They continued: “She was the best dog, and she and Alan were inseparable. Many of us can relate to losing a pet, but many of us also leave our pets behind when we go to work. K-9 Koda worked with Alan day in and day out for 8 years, before she retired at the end of 2019. This connection and time spent together creates a bond that most people do not experience. It also creates a pain that most can’t imagine when it’s time to say goodbye.”The town flooded the comments of the post with memories of expressions of gratitude for Koda.”She was sweet naturally, but strong and tough when she needed to be. She protected her town….and our town well,” one resident wrote. “RIP, dear Koda. And thank you for keeping us safe.”Another added that they hope Koda will now “rest and frolic peacefully.””While we mourn losing her, we thank her for her service to the town, sharing her time with us and Alan’s family, and making all our days a little bit brighter,” officers said. “May she rest in peace.”

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.