NEWPORT — The Newport Police Department is welcoming a new K-9 unit to the department.
K-9 Ozzy is a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois that will be partnered with new K-9 handler Officer Joshua Lillis when he officially joins the department.
Ozzy will be taking on the duties of K-9 Dax, who will be retiring after seven years of service to the Newport Police Department.
Sgt. Travis Bingham, who has been the department’s K-9 handler since 2006 and worked with both Dax and his predecessor, Odin, will remain as the department’s K-9 instructor and work closely with Ozzy and Officer Lillis.
Ozzy will soon be attending the Vermont Police Academy, where he’ll be trained in drug and evidence searches, as well as suspect tracking and apprehension.
“Sgt. Bingham and Dax have served the city of Newport well,” Chief DiSanto said. “I have no doubt that Sgt. Bingham’s expertise will be a tremendous asset for Officer Lillis and Ozzy as they transition into their new roles.”
Newport’s K-9 program began in 1999 and has thrived in part due to the support of Poulin Grain, which has donated high-quality dog food to the department since the program’s inception.
