A fundraiser to ensure Warwick's K-9s keep cool

By Tessa Roy
Posted 9/27/16

Community members will soon get the opportunity to help improve the safety of Warwick's two police dogs. The Trap at Chianti's, in partnership with Coastway Community Bank, is holding a fundraiser for new heat protection systems for the K-9

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A fundraiser to ensure Warwick's K-9s keep cool

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Community members will soon get the opportunity to help improve the safety of Warwick’s two police dogs. The Trap at Chianti’s, in partnership with Coastway Community Bank, is holding a fundraiser for new heat protection systems for the K-9 Unit of the Warwick Police Department on October 2nd at 12:30 p.m.

TJ Martucci, owner of Chianti’s, said dogs have always been near and dear to his heart. In fact, The Trap has a pet friendly patio. Martucci is happy to have the event at his restaurant, as he loves both the dogs and the Warwick Police.

“It was a really good way to give back to the community that has given so much to me,” he said.

Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks officer fatalities, listed 11 K-9s nationally that died of heat exhaustion this year. Such a tragedy often happens when the dogs are left inside cars that overheat. WPD’s vehicles are currently equipped with a “Hot Dog” system and a door opener, and they’ve been functional so far. However, there are some drawbacks.

“The systems we have now are really good,” said Officer Aaron Steere. “If it goes off, a fan will keep the dog alive for a certain amount of time. But then the battery drains. If no one’s there to hear the alarm, then it really doesn’t do that much good.”

WPD’s K-9 Unit, staffed by Officer Steele, Officer Paul Wells, and their K-9s Viking and Fox, hopes to install AceWatchdog, a heat protection system that’s connected to an officer’s smartphones.

The phone app shows the temperature inside the car, battery status, and whether the engine is running. It also has a heat alarm that will alert officers if the car gets too hot.

Dogs spend most of their shifts inside the cars, so no protection measure is too much. AceWatchdog will help them always keep tabs on what’s happening in their car.

“We’ve got full time mechanics here who try to keep our cars in tip-top shape, but even with that, it’s a machine,” he said. “There’s always a chance that the car could stall or if the AC doesn’t work. This is a really good safeguard.”

The cell phone portion is what sets AceWatchdog apart from the others. Steere said he’s met officers who have pager systems, but that it’s difficult to tell when they go off because they’re strapped to a belt. Smartphones have loud ring tones and are easier to check frequently. Steere said he leaves his on his desk, so it’s always right in front of him.

WPD’s dogs are worth a combined $15,000, so the two systems priced at roughly $1,800 each are a worthy investment. However, the value of the dogs as partners far exceeds the monetary benefits.

“These dogs are like family,” Steere said. “I’d cry for a week if something happened to [my dog Viking] that could have been prevented.”

It isn’t just the officers that work with them who love them – Steere has boxes of thank you cards made by children at schools the K-9 Unit has visited.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at The Trap at Chianti’s. Those who want to help but cannot attend the event can still stop by The Trap to make donations. The restaurant is located at 195 Old Forge Road in East Greenwich.

PARTNERS: Officer Aaron Steere poses with his K-9 partner, Viking. (Warwick Beacon photo)

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