K9 Scout – Placer County, California

Died – 6/17/16
Handler – Deputy Shawn Rosner

Placer County police dog ambassador dies in sleep

A police dog who served as an ambassador for the Placer County Sheriff’s Office K-9 corps has died of apparent kidney failure. Scout, who had a four-year tour of active duty in the department with handler Deputy Shawn Rosner, retired from the department in 2011. After that, he enjoyed many dog years in retirement helping to raise money and awareness for both active and retired Placer County police dogs. Scout, who died in his sleep on Friday at age 11, spent his retirement with Foothills K9 Association treasurer Julie Baldwin. Deputy Rosner had this to say about the loyal, fearless and mischievous canine. “Like many who went before him, Scout served and served and served. His disposition was always happy, pleasant and friendly, especially if you had a water bottle (empty or full) he could take from you.”

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.