Bill Would Allow Emergency Medical Services For Police K9s

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Rhode Island lawmaker is proposing that service and police K9s receive the same treatment in emergency situations as their human counterparts. Representative David Bennett has introduced a bill that would allow these dogs to ride in ambulances and receive care from EMTs when needed.

"Police dogs are some of the most loyal, untiring public servants there are," the Warwick Democrat said. "They protect and serve the public alongside human officers, sometimes at great risk to their own lives and safety. They are also valuable resources, having undergone months or years of training to be able to perform special duties. They absolutely deserve to have all the necessary emergency treatment if they get hurt in the line of duty, and no EMT should have to decline to help them or face any kind of repercussion for helping to save their lives."

Under current Rhode Island law, ermegerncy services such as care from an EMT or the use of an ambulance is only available to people. The bill calls for exceptions to be made for police K9s, allowing them access to oxygen, bandages and other triage care as long as no humans are waiting for treatment.

The bill is modeled after similar legislation introduced in Massachusetts, named for a Yarmouth K9 who was seriously injured in 2018. Nero and his partner, Officer Sean Gannon, were both shot while serving a warrant. Gannon died from his injuries, while Nero nearly bled to death at the scene since emergency responders were legally barred from administering care. He was eventually taken to an animal hospital in a police cruiser since he could not ride in an ambulance.

Nero has since recovered from his injuries and, retired, lives with Gannon's widow.

Defenders of Animals, an advocacy organization, raised the issue to Bennett.

"Defenders of Animals appreciates Representative Bennett introducing this bill," Director Dennis Tabella said. "Illinois, Mississippi, and New York have allowed first responders to treat and transport injured police dogs in emergency situations."