K9 Lando – Hazel Park, Michigan

Died – 4/2/21
Handler – Officer Michael Kasdorf

Hazel Park Police Department announces unexpected death of K-9 Dutch Shepherd Lando

On Saturday, the Hazel Park Police Department announced the unexpected death of its K-9 Dutch Shepherd named Lando. The K-9 was born on Aug. 5, 2014 and died Friday, police said. He started with the department in July of 2015.VHe is credited with locating lost children and apprehending fleeing felons. The K-9 along with his handler had just received a new Chevrolet Tahoe that they won through a program sponsored by Vested Interest In K9s. When the K-9 started feeling sick he was sent to Michigan State University for an ultrasound. A mass was detected and surgery followed to remove it. Cancer had taken over his body. “Successful treatment and recovery were not possible and Lando was not awaken from his surgery,” a statement from the police department read in part. The statement continued, “It is with great sadness that we report the loss of our Police K-9 Lando. He was selected by his Handler, Officer Michael Kasdorf, to join the department K-9 Unit. Officer Kasdorf and Lando trained together at the Vohne Liche Kennels. K-9 Lando provided law enforcement services that included Handler Protection, Narcotics Detection, Tracking, Building & Area Search and Obedience. Lando was an ambassador for the Hazel Park Police Department, building bonds with the community he served and the officers he worked with. K-9 Lando achieved many accomplishments in his career that included locating lost children and apprehending fleeing felons…The Police Department and City share in the sorrow with Officer Kasdorf in the loss of his partner and faithful companion.”

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.