PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla., (WFLA) - The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is taking every possible step to protect its four-legged partners from the heat.

Deputies said that heat stroke is a common cause of death amongst K9s in law enforcement, so they use advanced, life-saving technology to protect all 16 of their working dogs from the Florida heat.

Eddie is one of the 16 K9s from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. He is a 5-year-old German Shepherd and Belgian Malawa mix.

K9 Eddie is certified for patrol and EOD bomb detection. He answers every single call with his handler, Sergeant Mike Kilian.

"They're so valuable to us. They are like part of our families," Sgt. Kilian said.

K9s can spend a lot of time in the vehicles, which could be dangerous.

"If the engine fails or if the temper

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