Meet the Poughkeepsie Police Department’s Newest Member

The Poughkeepsie Police Department has a new member to the force. Her name is Kiah. Kiah is a 60 pound pit bull terrier, making her one of very few pit bulls used as a police dog

Kiah graduates on Friday from the canine training school in Stone Ridge.

WABC-TV says that Kiah will be serving the Poughkeepsie Police Department to detect drugs and track missing people.

Her handler, police officer Justin Bruzgul said.

"(If the dog has) the energy to use her nose and want to please her handler and do that working job, it doesn't matter what breed it i.."

Kiah's journey was a long one. The dog was found in a Texas animal shelter after her previous owner was arrested for animal cruelty. She came to New York through a special partnership between San Antonio-based charity Universal K9, and Animal Farm Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Dutchess County that works to ensure "equal treatment and opportunity" for pit bulls.

Not only will Kiah serve as a police dog, but as a special "good will ambassador" for a breed that is often maligned.

Stacey Coleman, Animal Farm Foundation's Executive Director said

"It's about levelling the playing field, it's about proving once and for all that the dogs labelled 'pit bull' can do all the things that the dogs not labelled 'pit bull' can do."