K9 Zeus – Belfield, North Dakota

Died 8/29/19
Handler – Chief Byrne

Belfied Police K9 passed away

The Belfield Police Department announced on Facebook the passing of their K9 officer Zeus. A lump was found on Zeus’ neck which was believed to be an upper respiratory infection but after two weeks of antibiotics, the lump had grown. After an aspirate of the lump was taken, it was confirmed to be metastatic non-pigmented melanoma that was metastasizing. The BPD said due to Zeus’s “demeanor, lethargy, labored breathing and loss of strength,” Belfield Police Chief Stephen Byrne and Zeus’s medical team had to make the decision to euthanize Zeus. “Thanks to all who loved and supported K9 Zeus through his years of service with the Belfield Police Department,” the post said. Gabrielle Rustan gifted the BPD this wreath in honor of Zeus. Rustan was at a vendor show in Belfield selling wreaths a couple of weeks ago. She created this wreath as a way to show her support to all of law enforcement. “It just brings extra meaning,” said Byrne. More information and a remembrance of our Zeus will follow, the BPD said.

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.