KDSN RADIO News
Storm Lake Police Honor Fallen K9 Officer as Community Rallies to Support New Dog Fund
(Photo Courtesy of the Storm Lake Police Department)
Storm Lake, Iowa – KTIV reports the Storm Lake Police Department mourning the loss of K9 Ozzy, a dedicated officer who recently succumbed to cancer.
Officer Mitchell Fritz, who partnered with Ozzy for just over a year, reflected on their time together. “He was a dual-purpose dog, trained for both apprehension and drug detection,” he said. The 9-year-old Belgian Malinois had previously worked with another officer before joining Fritz.
Ozzy was known for his skills in drug searches, apprehensions, and community engagement. However, earlier this month, Officer Fritz noticed changes in Ozzy’s health. “He started losing weight and developed a lump on his backside,” Fritz recalled. A vet visit confirmed that a biopsy was needed, but during training in Des Moines, Ozzy’s condition worsened.
“When I returned home, I found he had bloated. The vet discovered another mass that had ruptured,” said Fritz. Tragically, Ozzy’s battle with cancer ended far too soon.
As the department’s only working K9, Ozzy was well-known and loved by fellow officers, particularly those on the same shift. “Everyone knew him,” said Police Chief Chris Cole.
Funding for the K9 program comes entirely from private donations. Chief Cole explained, “We don’t have a city budget for the K9 or equipment, so we rely on community support.” The department is actively seeking donations to bring a new K9 to the team. A GoFundMe has been established, and donations can also be made in person or via mail.
While they prepare to welcome a new K9, the department cherishes the memories of Ozzy. “Every morning, he’d greet me with his ‘happy taps,’ running in place when he was excited,” Fritz reminisced. “He was a fantastic dog, instrumental in major cases over the past year.”
At home, Ozzy was simply a loving companion. “At the end of the day, he just wanted love and attention,” said Fritz.
The department has placed an order for a new K9, but no timeline for its arrival has been established. For updates and community fundraising efforts, residents are encouraged to follow the Storm Lake Police Department on Facebook.
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