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Peoria PD, MCSO to use heat alarm systems for K9 units

by Bob McClay/KTAR (March 27th, 2009 @ 8:24am)

Imagine having an alarm system that would set off an alarm if you left your baby in a hot car.

There may be liabilities that make that just a dream right now. "If there was a failure, if it wasn't installed properly - I mean there are so many potential downfalls," said Brian Shackleford who has invented such a system for police K9 units.

Occu-Alert keeps the engine running and the AC on when the dog is in the car.

The dog is placed on a pad in the back seat. If there's a problem, once the inside temperature reaches 90 degrees, an alarm goes off and a signal is sent to police dispatch.

Shackleford got the idea after a Chandler police dog, Bandit, died after being left in a hot car nearly two years ago. "If the baby is detected inside the vehicle, it's a presence detection capability. Then it automatically overrides the ignition as well as the air conditioning, meaning the operator of the vehicle can no longer turn the vehicle off without removing the occupant."

The only way that the engine and air conditioning can be turned off while the dog is in the car is if the outside temperature is 75 degrees or lower.

Peoria police and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office are the first two agencies to install one of the $900 units.

Last 4 Comments

  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Any
    Patrick H
    Any device that will save a animal from a horrific death is a good idea. Officers do get into situations where they might not be able to get back to their cars for long periods of time. And I think it is a lot cheaper than the cost of another trained police K-9 and the pain of losing a fellow officer.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Are you kidding me...........
    Faith
    Typical comments from ignorant people. K9 police officers do more than work their dog. They take calls that can tie them up for hours, such as listening to people like you whine! They also actually get to eat occasionally, if you would stop your whining! At least someone is trying to do something about it......
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    i agree
    Big d 1
    use some common sense. the hussle and bussell aint that bad.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    How about we
    Olphart
    save $900 per unit and instead train the officers to be aware that they live in a desert and shouldn't leave animals in cars period.
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