K9 Nala – Havana, Florida

Born – 5/17/05
Died – 7/1/15

Havana Police Mourn K9 Nala

It is with a heavy heart that we at the Havana Police Department must say goodbye to one of our officers. K-9 Nala was put to sleep after being diagnosed with Insulinoma which is a type of pancreatic cancer. K9 Nala served the community since 2009 contributing to many drug arrests K9 Nala will be missed by her handler and fellow officers and the community. The police chief, Tracey Smith, says Nala can never be replaced. “You get attached to them, even though you may not be the handler of the K-9 itself. She would come and visit me in the office. The dispatchers would give her treats and all. She really was dedicated. When it was time to go, she was ready to get in the car and go to work. We considered her a dedicated officer.”

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.