How Ems Providers Can Navigate Police Dog Laws

In the past, emergency medical service (EMS) personnel were not permitted to treat or transport injured police dogs. However, several states in the US have passed laws, commonly known as Nero's Law, that now allow EMS providers to assess, treat, and transport injured police dogs to veterinary hospitals. These laws specify that EMS personnel can provide treatment and transport for police dogs as long as there are no injured people requiring medical attention or transport at that time. The laws also outline the roles of Animal Control and the police dog's handler in assisting with the treatment and transport of injured police dogs.

EMTs can now treat and transport injured police dogs in Massachusetts

EMTs in Massachusetts can now treat and transport injured police dogs to veterinary hospitals. This development follows the signing of Nero's Bill, or Chapter 23 of the Acts of 2022, into law by Governor Charlie Baker in February 2022. The bill was named after the K9 partner of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, who was fatally shot while serving an arrest warrant in 2018. Nero was also shot but, due to existing state law, EMTs were not allowed to treat or transport him. Instead, he had to be rushed to the animal hospital in the back of a police cruiser and survived the shooting.

Nero's Law now requires EMS to assess, treat, and transport police K9s injured in the line of duty. The statute defines a "police dog" as a dog owned by a police department or police agency of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision and used for official duties. EMS personnel will require the assistance of the police dog's handler or backup handler to approach an injured dog and ensure it is safe for them to attend to the canine. If neither the handler nor the backup handler is available, EMS may contact local Animal Control for assistance in restraining and safely treating and transporting the dog.

Supporters of the bill argued that police dogs face danger from guns, narcotics, and explosives and that allowing emergency personnel to provide basic treatment and transport is a way to honour their service. The new law will ensure the well-being of working dogs who risk their lives every day to keep people safe. However, it is important to note that the care of a police dog should never take priority over a person needing EMS attention. In cases where transporting a police dog by ambulance would impair EMS's ability to respond to people requiring care, Animal Control may be considered an appropriate transport choice if they are available and appropriately equipped.

Illinois, Mississippi, New York and San Bernardino, California, have laws allowing EMS to transport police dogs

In recognition of the invaluable service that police dogs provide, several US states have implemented laws that allow EMS personnel to provide emergency veterinary care to these canine officers. Illinois, Mississippi, New York, and San Bernardino, California, are pioneers in this regard, with laws that permit EMS workers to transport injured police dogs to veterinary clinics.

Illinois

In Illinois, HB 2661, Subsection E, permits designated EMS personnel, including EMRs, EMTs, and paramedics, to transport police dogs injured in the line of duty to veterinary clinics. The law defines a "police dog" as a dog owned or used by a law enforcement department or agency, encompassing search and rescue dogs, service dogs, and accelerant detection canines. The transport of the injured dog is contingent on no human requiring medical attention or transport at that time.

Mississippi

Mississippi's Senate Bill 2091 authorizes EMS personnel to transport police work dogs injured in the line of duty to veterinary facilities. Similar to Illinois' law, the transport is dependent on no human requiring medical attention, ensuring that human medical needs take precedence.

New York

New York's SB S4990A, Section 122-C, amends the general municipal law to include the transport of police work dogs by emergency medical service paramedics and technicians. This law applies to police dogs injured in the line of duty, and transport is provided to veterinary clinics or similar facilities. As with the other states, the transport of the injured dog cannot interfere with any human medical needs.

San Bernardino, California

San Bernardino County, California, has implemented a pilot program through Assembly Bill 1776, approved by the Governor in September 2018. This bill authorizes the county to work with the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency to provide emergency transportation for police dogs injured in the line of duty to veterinary facilities. Certain conditions must be met, including a request for transport by the dog's handler, the absence of any human medical needs, and the handler accompanying the dog during transport. The pilot project commenced on January 1, 2019, and the bill included a provision for data collection and reporting on the program's outcomes.

Transport of police dogs is dependent on no human requiring an ambulance

In the US, there is no federal legal obligation for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to transport emotional support dogs in an ambulance. However, some states or local governments have laws that allow people to bring their emotional support animals into public places, and these laws may also apply to ambulances. Ultimately, the decision to allow a patient's emotional support animal to ride in an ambulance is made by the crew and is based on the patient's needs and the crew's ability to safely transport the animal.

When it comes to police dogs, also known as K9s, several states have laws in place that allow EMS personnel to assess, treat, and transport injured police dogs. These laws, often referred to as "Nero's Law" or "Nero's Bill", were enacted to ensure the well-being of working dogs who risk their lives daily to keep the public safe.

For example, in Massachusetts, under "Nero's Law", EMS personnel are required to assess, treat, and transport injured police dogs, as long as there are no injured people requiring transport. The law defines a "police dog" as a dog owned and used by a police department or agency for official duties. Similar laws have been passed in Mississippi and California, with a pilot project in San Bernardino County, authorizing EMS to transport injured police dogs to veterinary facilities when no human requires medical attention or transport.

It is important to note that EMS care for police dogs should not take priority over human patients. In cases where transporting a police dog would impair EMS's ability to respond to human patients, alternative options, such as contacting Animal Control, may be considered as long as they are appropriately equipped to handle the transport of the injured police dog.

EMS personnel must be trained to provide police dogs with basic first aid

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the importance of EMS personnel being trained to provide police dogs with basic first aid. This is because police dogs are invaluable to law enforcement and community safety, and their timely treatment can preserve this vital resource.

Previously, there have been instances where EMTs were not legally permitted to treat or transport injured police dogs, which led to delays in receiving veterinary care. For example, in 2018, a police dog named Nero was shot while serving an arrest warrant with his handler, Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon. Due to existing state laws, EMTs could not provide medical attention to Nero, who had to be rushed to an animal hospital in a police cruiser. This incident highlighted the need for legislative changes and training to empower EMS personnel to assist injured police dogs.

In response, several states, including Massachusetts, have enacted laws, commonly known as "Nero's Law," that mandate EMS to assess, treat, and transport injured police K9s. These laws define a police dog as one owned and used by a police department or agency for official duties. While the treatment of humans remains the priority, EMS personnel with the appropriate training can now provide basic first aid to police dogs, ensuring their wellbeing and recognising their service to the community.

EMS personnel can benefit from dedicated training programs that teach them how to treat injured police dogs. For example, Veterinarian Paul McNamara's Odin's Fund is a nonprofit organisation that educates first responders on providing basic first aid to police dogs injured on the job. This training can empower paramedics and other first responders with the knowledge and skills to handle various scenarios, from gunshot wounds to insect bites.

Overall, the ability of EMS personnel to provide basic first aid to police dogs is a critical aspect of ensuring the health and safety of these courageous canines. By receiving specialised training and understanding the legal framework, EMS providers can effectively care for police dogs, recognising their invaluable contribution to law enforcement and the community.

Animal Control may be called to transport injured police dogs

In the US, laws regarding the treatment of injured police dogs vary from state to state. In Massachusetts, for instance, a law was passed in 2022, known as "Nero's Law", which allows EMTs and paramedics to treat and transport injured police dogs to veterinary hospitals. This law was passed in response to an incident in 2018, in which a police dog named Nero was shot and had to be rushed to the animal hospital in a police cruiser because EMTs were not allowed to treat or transport him at the time.

Nero's Law outlines specific protocols for EMS personnel when treating and transporting injured police dogs. These protocols include the requirement to notify the Communication Center, which will then alert the receiving veterinary facility, and the documentation of all responses on a patient care report (PCR). The law also emphasizes that EMS care for a police dog should never take priority over a person needing medical attention.

In certain situations, Animal Control may be called to transport an injured police dog. This typically occurs when the transport of the dog by ambulance would impair the EMS's ability to respond to persons requiring medical attention or transport. Animal Control can provide an alternative means of transportation for the injured dog, ensuring that the EMS's primary responsibility to human patients is not compromised.

The decision to involve Animal Control is often made in collaboration with the police dog's handler or backup handler. They play a crucial role in restraining and ensuring the safe treatment and transportation of the injured dog. If neither the primary nor the backup handler is available, EMS personnel may contact local Animal Control for assistance. This collaborative approach ensures that the injured police dog receives the necessary care while maintaining the EMS's ability to prioritize human patients.

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