The ACE K-9 Heat Alarm System triggers multiple vehicle systems should temperatures inside the vehicle reach unsafe levels.IMAGE: Pexels
The agency equipped seven police vehicles with the ACE K9 Heat Alarm System. When the temperature inside the vehicle reaches a dangerous level, this system triggers multiple vehicle systems. For example, blue lights flash, sirens blare, windows roll down, fans activate, and alerts are sent to the handler and four others, the article reported.
The article also shares a feature called "no dog left behind,” alerts the handler if the police dog is unintentionally left in the vehicle.
According to the article, the death of K-9 Chase last summer prompted the department to purchase the technology. Chase died in a hot patrol car while his handler was in a training exercise. The article states the handler left the vehicle running and the air conditioner on, but instead of cooling, it started blowing heat. By the time the handler returned to the vehicle, Chase was in distress, the article reported.
If the handlers must be separated from their dogs for an extended time, the department has also added climate-controlled kennels. The kennels include cameras that enable handlers to use their cellphones to access live video of their dog, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.
The department also gave handlers additional medical training for their dogs, according to the article.
