Ostar

Handler: Richard Carlson
Breed: German Shorthaired Pointer
DOB: 10/1/2013
Department: Port Authority Police of NY and NJ
Function: Explosive Detection
Years Worked: 9/1/2015 – 1/2/2023

K-9 Ostar was born in Germany on October 1st 2013. When he was fourteen months old, he was procured by a European vendor and sent to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas to be evaluated by the TSA. K-9 Ostar passed the initial evaluation and was accepted into the TSA Explosive Detection Program, where he was teamed with P.O. R. Carlson of the Port Authority Police Department. The K-9 team was certified in explosive detection and was trained to respond to calls of unattended bags and vehicles, suspicious packages, bomb threats, cargo area searches, and motorcade sweeps. Upon graduation, K-9 Ostar was assigned to Jersey City, New Jersey where he was responsible for protecting the region’s transportation facilities. K-9 Ostar patrolled JFK, LaGuardia, & Newark Airports, the Path Transit System, the Port Authority Bus Station, and World Trade Center. K -9 Ostar protected all those who traveled thru these facilities as well as the vulnerable targets, including critical infrastructure. In addition, K-9 Ostar conducted motorcade and security sweeps for Presidents, Foreign Dignitaries and numerous members of the U.S. and foreign governments. When he was not on duty K-9 Ostar traveled to local and inner-city schools for educational demonstrations. The children loved seeing how he worked and were interested to hear what he did when he was home. K-9 Ostar is not only P.O. Carlson’s partner but also a member of his family. When Ostar is home, he loves to go on walks, play fetch, chase birds and go swimming in the pool. It’s truly amazing how he can be one dog at work and another at home. On January 5th 2023, K-9 Ostar retired from the Port Authority Police Department, where he honorably served all that traveled through the region’s transportation facilities. Less then two weeks after his retirement, K-9 Ostar became severely ill and was rushed to Redbank Veterinary Hospital. It was determined that K-9 Ostar had a blockage in his intestines and possible cancer in his testicles. Emergency surgery was needed to prevent any further complications. K-9 Ostar spent two nights in the hospital but is now home recovering. I’d like to thank Mr. King and Mark-9.org for their support. There are no words to express my gratitude. I never wanted K-9 Ostar’s sacrifice to the public to be forgotten and thanks to people like Mr. King and his organization it never will be.