K9 Zena – Stillwater, Oklahoma

Died – 7/12/17
Handler – Detective Newly McSpadden

Stillwater PD mourns loss of K9 officer

The Stillwater Police Department announced the loss of one of its K9 officers, Zena, on Wednesday afternoon. Zena was 8 years old. “Early this morning, Zena was found in her kennel extremely ill and with a distended stomach by her handler, Detective Newly McSpadden. Zena was rushed to the Boren veterinary hospital at Oklahoma State University for emergency treatment. Zena was unresponsive and had no heartbeat upon arrival. Medical Staff was able to re-establish a heartbeat and placed Zena on a breathing machine. “Further examination revealed Zena was suffering from gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV), commonly referred to as bloat or gastric torsion. GDV is a life-threatening condition in dogs in which their stomach twists and distends with gas. Zena was gravely ill and had to be put down.” SPD’s Facebook post began immediately filling up with condolences.”This is a shame. Not only did SPD lose an officer, Det. McSpadden lost a member of his family. My deepest condolences and sympathies go out to Newly McSpadden and his family,” said one user. “She was a brave officer and although she had a job I’m sure she was loved by many officers,” added another user. “I know how I would feel if I lost my dogs and I’m sorry for your loss.” Zena made a lot of public appearances. She was very popular during a Career Day in April at Richmond Elementary. She was there with Tom Comstock, a narcotics detective with the Stillwater Police Department. Fourth-grader Juliana Rojas, 10, liked petting Zena. “I think (she) is fluffy and adorable,” Rojas said.

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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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