K9 Viper – Waco, Texas

Handler – Officer Ray Woodruff

Veteran Waco police dog Viper dies

A five-year veteran Waco police dog died Tuesday after health issues prompted the dog’s retirement in March. Viper, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, died at a Woodway veterinary office with his handler, Officer Ray Woodruff, by his side. The vet determined joint pain has progressed to compromise the dog’s quality of life, Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said in a press release. Before Viper retired in March, he helped in 273 warrant services, 326 felony arrests and countless calls for services with state and federal agencies. After his retirement, Viper had lived with Woodruff. A spinal lesion discovered in February led to his retirement. Swanton said Live Oak Veterinary Park and Dr. Vickie Surber provided “extraordinary” care for Viper, and Cross River Pet Cremation donated cremation services for Viper.

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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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