Help an Allentown Fire Dept. arson K9 be No. 1 in the nation

ALLENTOWN, PA (WTXF) - The Allentown Fire Department is asking for your help, or rather vote, for one of its K-9 officers.

K-9 Judge is a five-year vet of the force and he's up for a prestigious award.

The American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards are an annual national competition.

K-9 Judge has made it to the top three in the Arson Dogs category and can use your vote to make it to the top.

The seven-year-old yellow Labrador retriever even has an online biography. It says he thrives in three major areas: investigation, deterrent, and education.

Judge has investigated more than 275 fire scenes, and found evidence that led to multiple arrests and civil penalties for insurance fraud.

Voting is underway and will continue through June 22. You can click here, choose the Arson category, and vote for K-9 Judge once a day.

Contest organizers wrote, "The eight category winners will win $2,500 for their charity partners and will get to fly to Hollywood for the star-studded awards gala this September!"

Judge's charity partner is Paws with a Cause, which trains dogs to help people with disabilities.

After you vote, you may want to check out some of the other hero dogs.

Other categories in the Hero Dog competition are Law Enforcement Dogs, Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Military Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Guide and Hearing Dogs and Emerging Hero Dogs.