K9 Rudie – Brownsville, Texas

Died – 1/26/17
Handler – Officer Pete Gonzalez

Police department dog dies due to syndrome

The Brownsville Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its police canines. Police report that police dog Rudie, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, died Thursday as a sudden result of Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus Syndrome, also known as twisted stomach. Police spokesman J.J. Trevino said Rudie’s handler, veteran officer Pete Gonzalez, noticed that something was not right with the canine, and he took the dog to the veterinarian, where it was diagnosed with the syndrome. The syndrome is not uncommon in Rudie’s breed. Rudie has been with the department since 2010. Police said Rudie was “a multi-talented officer with patrol and ordinance detection capabilities.” The department will recognize Rudie within the coming days.

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.