Keeping Our K-9s Safe

Recently, I was glad to announce the latest technology being added to the Sheriff's Office to ensure the safety of K-9 Chase. Chase is a talented 7-year-old German Shepherd who’s trained in explosive and firearm detection. His handler is veteran Deputy Sheriff Michelle Goodman, who has had Chase for one and a half years. Chase regularly patrols the interior and exterior of the Circuit Court complex, located in the heart of Annapolis on Church Circle.

The newly acquired state-of-the-art system is the Hot-N-Pop Pro model. This device will soon be installed in Deputy Goodman and K-9 Chase's vehicle. The key feature behind this equipment is to keep Chase safe if the vehicle's interior gets too hot and exceeds a preset comfortable temperature set by his handler. If the interior of the car exceeds the preset temperature, multiple alerts are activated. The system alerts a pager carried by the deputy, the vehicle's horn begins blowing, the siren continuously sounds, and the car's windows will roll down a safe distance. Additionally, these alerts will repeat immediately if the vehicle’s engine shuts down or if the vehicle is accidently turned off. This redundant alarm system will surely keep our valued four-legged team member safe.

This technology currently exists in three other K-9 vehicles used to keep Jango, Carlo and Reeper safe and cool. To date, none of these systems have ever been triggered as a result of a hot interior or inoperable engine.

It is especially important to recognize that this valuable piece of equipment was made possible only by the kindness of the Chesapeake K-9 Fund. At a cost of nearly $3,000, the Hot-N-Pop pro model was purchased in full by the newly formed nonprofit foundation. All of us here at the Sheriff’s Office, and Chase (ruff ruff), sincerely thank the board of directors from the Chesapeake K-9 Fund for their lifesaving donation!