Iro, Union County’s K-9 Unit

The Union County Sheriff’s Office recently added a K-9 unit to their department. This unit consists of Iro, the K-9 dog, and his handler, Deputy Ernest R. Ritter III. The unit is used for explosive detection in local businesses and schools as well as officer protection during DUI checkpoints, tracking, and as needed in local law enforcement.

Iro and his handler completed their training at Castle’s K-9 Inc. in Mechanicsburg. Iro and Deputy Ritter have worked hard together to meet the strict requirements necessary to acquire national certification. Deputy Ritter has been with the Union County Sheriff’s Department since 1998. He was appointed Union County's first K-9 handler in February 2000, when the K-9 Unit was first implemented.

The K-9 Unit is available for educational, civic, and governmental-oriented demonstrations. The unit is funded entirely by donations from local civic groups, businesses, and private individuals. Donations for Iro are welcome and can be made at the Union County Courthouse. Recent donations were used to purchase a bulletproof vest for Iro. All veterinarian services have been donated by Animal Care Hospital in Lewisburg and Brookpark Pet Supply, also in Lewisburg, donates all food for Iro. The K-9 Unit would like to thank everyone who has donated for their help.

Please click the image above to learn more about Iro's abilities!