Rhode Island Bill Would Enable Ambulance Transport for First-Responder Dogs - National Humane Education Society
Paws Up! To Rhode Island Representative David Bennett for introducing legislation that would provide life-saving services for K9s.
February 3, 2021
In 2018, K9 Nero and his partner, Sgt. Sean Gannon, were both shot by a criminal who was hiding from police. Tragically, Sgt. Gannon succumbed to his injuries, but Nero was able to pull through and recover after enduring two gunshot wounds.
Even though Nero was injured just for doing the job he was trained to do, because the ambulance service had a rule against transporting animals, he had to be transported to the vet via police cruiser, without the benefit of EMT’s caring for his critical wounds on the way.
Rhode Island Representative David Bennett wants to change all that with House Bill 5165 which would allow ambulances to transport police, military, and search and rescue dogs to a veterinary hospital if they are injured in the line of duty. This bill would also allow EMT’s to administer life-saving services such as first aid, giving oxygen, mouth-to-snout resuscitation, and control of blood loss while en route to the veterinary hospital.
Take Action: If dogs are going to be put in harm’s way to serve and protect the public, then they deserve the same level of emergency care as their human partners. Rhode Island residents, please tell your representatives to support House Bill 5165 to allow emergency services personnel to help on-duty K9s in their hour of need!
Great move for the animals
To be honest, I had not even thought about it. I think that it should be a law in all 50 states!! They are our protectors, too and deserve to have emergency transport as well as emergency medical care!! Great idea!! Good luck!! Prayers are with you and for the bill to be passed!!!
police , military and family dogs are the best!
GREAT IDEA!!! THEY WORK TO HELP US AND DESERVE THE BEST CARE. SHOULD BE NATIONAL LAW.
Dogs doing their jobs should have the same consideration as people that do their jobs and should be transported with the medical care that people get.
Thank you, Rep. Bennett, for giving our Little Rhody’s brave four-legged first responders the help they deserve!
They deserve no less. they give unconditional love and loyalty, protecting without hesitation. Thank you.
Of course this should be the rule. Thank you, Rep. Bennett.
First Responder Dogs should definitely be able to get treatment and transportation the same as their human partners. Their lives our put on the line everyday and they should expect immediate care if needed.