K9 Libby – Dutchess County, New York


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Died – 8/24/20
Handler – Deputy Sheriff John O’Brien

Sheriff and community mourn loss of K9 Libby

Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson is sad to announce the passing of retired Accelerant Detection Canine (K9) Libby. In 2012, after being rescued from the Humane Society of Greater Rochester’s Lollipop Farm, K9 Libby and her handler Deputy Sheriff John O’Brien graduated from the New York State Academy of Fire Science Accelerant Detection Canine Program. K9 Libby served with the Sheriff’s Fire & Arson Investigation Unit and the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division. Over the course of her eight-year career, K9 Libby assisted numerous fire departments and police agencies with fire investigations resulting in arson arrests and convictions. K9 Libby was also a popular participant in fire safety presentations at local schools and colleges. A new Accelerant Detection Canine, K9 Bolt, recently completed certification allowing K9 Libby to retire in May of 2020. After retiring, K9 Libby spent the remainder of her life with her handler and his family until passing on Monday, August 24, 2020. Anderson offered a special thanks to the Dutchess County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, Dutchess County Fire Chief’s Council and G.E. Masten Feeds for providing support to K9 Libby throughout her years of dedicated service to Dutchess County.

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.