General Assembly approves bill for K-9 emergency treatment

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island General Assembly passed a bill on Thursday that would allow K-9 officers to receive emergency medical treatment if they are injured at a scene.

“Police dogs are some of the most loyal, untiring public servants there are. They protect and serve the public alongside human officers, sometimes at great risk to their own lives and safety,” said Rep. David Bennett, who is one of the bill’s sponsors.

The Rhode Island House approved the bill in a vote last month.

Massachusetts recently passed a similar bill called “Nero’s Law.” It’s named after Yarmouth K-9 Nero, who was shot along with his handler Officer Sean Gannon, while serving an arrest warrant.

Gannon, who was from New Bedford, was killed but Nero survived.

Rhode Island’s version of the bill would allow injured police dogs to receive EMT care and to be taken to a veterinary hospital by ambulance. The current law only allows people to get that type of care.

The bill will now go to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk to be signed into law.