SAN ANTONIO (August 7, 2012)—The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has heat sensors to protect police dogs but the devices were not installed in an SUV where two of the dogs died.

Bexar County Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz said police dogs will not be used during the day until the sensors have been installed.

The San Antonio police dog unit will assist the sheriff's department as needed until then.

Ortiz said Monday that maintenance workers did not know how to install the sensors, which alert officers when the dog-carrying units get too hot and automatically lower a vehicle’s windows.

Two dogs were discovered dead July 25 in a county-owned SUV at the handler's home.

Ortiz says the deputy evidently forgot the dogs after he noticed his horse was caught in some barbed wire.

Dog handlers will also get additional training.