K9 Tara – South Lake Tahoe , California

Died – 11/6/20
Handler – Sergeant Jason Cheney

It’s with a heavy heart we report that K9 Tara has passed away this evening. Tara at the age of 5 started at SLTPD in 2014 with her partner Sergeant Jason Cheney and worked till 2018 when she retired. Shortly after retirement, Tara battled cancer, which caused her to have a leg amputated. Tara lived cancer free for two more years enjoying her retirement. With only three legs, Tara had plenty of fight and spunk in her. She was a regular at the police department, keeping dispatch safe on many work shifts. In the last couple of months, the cancer returned in her chest, and was beyond surgery and chemo. Tonight members from South Lake Tahoe Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, East Fork Fire Department, Nevada Highway Patrol, California Highway Patrol, Mono County, friends, family, and community members came out to Honor Tara’s Service and support Sergeant Cheney while be brought Tara to the vet. Tara led a fulfilling career keeping those around her safe. If you didn’t know her, she could look ferocious, but in all reality she was a little mouthy snuggle bug who was the center of attention. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department page will provide more on the service in which we honored Tara in the coming days and we will be sure to share that with everyone. We are grateful for for everyone’s support, and extremely grateful to Carson Valley Vet Hospital for caring for our K9’s. Rest in peace Tara, E.O.W 11/06/2020.

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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.
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