The Wheeling Police Department introduced the newest member of its K9 Unit Thursday — Ozzy, a 15-month-old German Shepherd.
K9 Ozzy, and his handler, Cpl. Jason Martin will serve the department and the citizens of Wheeling the next several years. Together, they are properly trained and ready to begin work in the areas of explosives detection, tracking, and evidence recovery.
Ozzy will be the only known explosive detection canine in the region. He replaces K9 Declan, who was also trained in explosives. Declan served the WPD for six years until his 2019 retirement. Ozzy’s arrival comes at a perfect time, with several summer events planned in the city.
Still a young, energetic pup, Ozzy was raised and schooled through Black Rock Canine in Naugatuck, Conn. He was purchased thanks to a $15,000 donation from the Circus Saints and Sinners in Wheeling, $1,000 from residents of Montani Towers, and $1,000 from Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Elliott, Sr.
Saints and Sinners President Chuck Hood indicated that the funds had initially been raised for a proposed WPD K9 Training Center, but the club was equally pleased to fund the acquisition of a new canine.
“Originally, we raised the money to support the construction of a new K9 training center,” said Hood. “When that project was put on hold, Cpl. Martin contacted us and asked if we would be okay with the funds going toward the purchase of a new police dog. We readily agreed and are very happy to help welcome Ozzy to Wheeling.”
Over the last few weeks, Ozzy and Cpl. Martin have trained in several areas on the east coast, including Times Square, Grand Central Station, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York and various areas in Connecticut. During that enhanced training period, Ozzy was taught to find and detect certain odors, evidence, and explosives.
In addition to Ozzy, the Wheeling PD has two other K9’s on duty, Jericho and Zero. An additional fourth K9 for the department is planned in the future.
