APD's tools to protect K9 from the heat

There have been several fatal heat-related incidents to police dogs to occur in Texas this summer. As a result, the question "how safe are dogs on the job" has surfaced.

As FOX 7's Noelle Newton featured in 2012, the Austin Police Department has several tools at its disposal to help ensure the safety of the dogs.

Each K-9 handler's car is equipped with a heat-alarm system.  Two sensors measure the temperature inside of the car. When the temperature hits a certain temperature, the back windows roll down, a fan turns on, the horn honks, and the officer gets a page. In some cars, the lights even flash.