Sarasota police K-9 Coti honored with emotional final salute

As an athletic guardian of public safety with exceptional instincts and a natural disposition for service, K-9 Coti was a formidable partner for Sarasota police Officer Nick Dominis.

Their alliance began in 2014 after Coti completed hundreds of hours of training in K-9 school. During a seven-year career, Coti served a vital role with Dominis on patrol operations, including tracking suspects, locating missing or endangered persons, building searches, handler protection, and assisting with apprehensions. Coti also worked alongside Sarasota’s SWAT team and provided assistance to neighboring law enforcement agencies.

“K-9 Coti wasn’t just my K-9 partner. He was my protector,” said Dominis, who joined Sarasota police in 2007. “For seven years, he served the City of Sarasota with unwavering loyalty, courage and heart.”

In 2021, Coti, a German shepherd, was medically retired, spending his remaining years as a member of the Dominis family. He died on Sunday at age 12 from complications associated with old age.

On Tuesday, Coti received a ceremonial final salute during an emotional ride past Sarasota Police Headquarters and a line of community supporters on Adams Lane. Dominis was at the head of the procession, driving the K-9 Tahoe No. 1655 that he and Coti shared during their career together.

“From long nights on patrol to SWAT callouts, [Coti] never hesitated,” Dominis said. “He gave everything he had to our community. I’m forever grateful for the time we served together and I’m incredibly proud of the legacy he leaves behind.”

Coti received his first of several letters of appreciation from citizens in May 2014. His honors with Dominis include two Life-Saving Medals, six Officer Commendations, four Unit Commendations (including SWAT and Narcotics), and Florida’s 16th Congressional District Law Enforcement Unit Citation Award in 2019.

Sarasota police’s K-9 Unit also routinely participates in community outreach events throughout the year.

K-9 teams typically undergo more than 400 hours of arduous training at Florida Department of Law Enforcement-authorized K9 training and certification courses. The teams are certified annually by FDLE and the Florida Law Enforcement Canine Association. The K-9s live with their handlers for enhanced bonding.

Sarasota police currently have four K-9s of Belgian Malinois and German and Dutch shepherd ancestry, including K-9 Brody, who partners with Officer Jake Nelson; K-9 Butch (Officer Adam Bearden); K-9 Koba (Officer Nick Laquidara); and K-9 Kodak (Officer Ryan Block).

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