Wow!  Another Rottweiler Hero makes the news!

The Salisbury Post in  North Carolina reports that one of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office beloved deputies retired earlier this month after nearly 80 years on the force.

American Rottweiler Vito and officer goodman

This retiree will enjoy his time chasing squirrels and playing with the house cat.

Vito, a black-and-chocolate Rottweiler who is one of three K-9s in the department, officially retired May 1.

He’s been by handler Lt. Neal Goodman’s side for 11 years; that’s about 84 years if he were a man. Vito will be 13 years old in August.

“He’s been a good partner. He’s got some big paw prints to fill,” Goodman said.

Vito is certified by the ……

North American Police Work Dog Association in obedience, article search, area search and aggression control. He’s also certified as a narcotics detector, patrol and tracking.

In Vito’s career, he’s accomplished 75 narcotic searches, 50 school searches, found three lost children, performed 98 public demonstrations, just to name a few.

American Rottweiler Vito

“He’s been a good ambassador for the sheriff’s office and the Rottweiler breed,” he said.

The most memorable of those captures for Goodman were the suspects Vito found hiding in a tree and the lost children who were found.

Vito was not without parting gifts. Many in the administrative staff gave him toys and tennis balls, which he promptly chewed to bits.

To Vito and Lt. Goodman - The American Rottweiler Club salutes you both! Well done, well done, indeed!