Allentown Fire Department’s K-9 Judge is a finalist in the 2016 American Hero Dog contest.

A 7-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, he joined the department in 2011. Fire Chief Lee Laubach is Judge’s handler.

State Farm’s Arson Dog Scholarship program donated Judge to the city. He is the first State Farm Arson Dog in city history and was the first in either Pennsylvania or New Jersey in several years.

Judge already has been designated as Hero Dog in the arson category. He is now vying with seven other dogs for top honors from American Humane Association.

Judge assists the department in fire investigations and in prevention education. He has worked more than 275 fire scenes.

Judge has uncovered evidence leading to multiple criminal arrests and civil penalties for insurance fraud cases.

As an educator, Judge has appeared at more than 500 fire safety programs and demonstrations for Crime Watch groups, specialty dog shows, elementary and high school programs, and more.

Judge has been an effective deterrent, as the number of arson fires has dropped more than 50 percent since he has been in service with the city.

Laubach developed a pilot program using Judge to get the life safety message to autistic children.

American Humane Association is donating $2,500 to each of the eight finalist’s charity partners, with $5,000 going to the charity partner of the American Hero Dog. Judge’s charity partner is Paws With a Cause.

The Hero Dog Awards are presented by The Lois Pope Life Foundation Inc.

Voting is open through Aug. 24 at herodogawards.org/vote.

The 2016 American Hero Dog grand prize winner will be announced Sept. 10 at an awards gala in Los Angeles.