K9 Kuda – Sarasota, Florida

Handler – Officer Tripp Schwenk

Beloved Sarasota K-9 officer passes away after brief fight with cancer

Sarasota Police Department has lost a brave member of their K-9 force. They posted the sad news on their social media accounts on Thursday. K-9 officer, “Kuda,” 11, served the City of Sarasota for eight years. He passed away after his short fight with cancer in early August. “Kuda” was partnered with Officer Tripp Schwenk from 2006 until 2014. Sarasota Police Department said he was a loyal partner to Officer Schwenk during their eight years together. He joined the Department in June of 2006 and was certified in both narcotics and patrol. K-9 worked to keep the City of Sarasota safe and he was also an ambassador of goodwill. Kuda was involved in multiple demonstrations at schools, churches and community groups. RIP K-9 “Kuda,” you will be greatly missed.

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.