Honey the fire dog is a finalist for the 2012 American Humane Society's Hero Dog Awards.
She was nominated by State Farm and is competing against 15 other dogs across the country for the grand prize.
Currently she is in 5th place.
James Kanavy, Assistant Fire Chief, has worked with Honey for nearly 4 years at the Scott County Fire Department.
"She's very special. She's very smart, very friendly. She's part of the family,” Kanavy said.
Kanavy trains Honey to find arson by using the reward method.
When Honey smells arson in the building, she sits down.
Kanavy then feeds her a treat and she stands back up to continue the search.
Honey was trained to sniff out hydrocarbons by the Maine Specialty Dogs.
Kanavy explains, "Hydrocarbons are stuff that start a fire. General common stuff of hydrocarbons are gasoline, carosene, diesel fuel, lighter fluid, tiki torch fluid, those kind of fluids are all made out of hydrocarbons."
Honey investigates at least 50 fires a year.
Her job is to either prove or disprove the crime of arson at the fire.
If arson is a factor in a fire, she may also be called to court to identify the evidence.
If Honey places first, she wins a donation to a charity and a trip this October to the Beverly Hilton hotel in California.
To vote for Honey, visit
www.herodogawards.org Honey’s name is under the Law Enforcement Arson Section.
