BOSTON — The state legislature passed Nero’s Law this week, allowing humane transportation of police K-9 partners when they are injured on scene.
This law is named after the K-9 partner of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2018.
Nero was also shot during this incident and sustained life-threatening injuries.
With first-responders and ambulances at the scene, Nero was not allowed treatment by them because state law prohibited emergency medical personnel from treating and transporting animals.
Nero, instead, had to be rushed to the animal hospital in the back of a police cruiser where he got the care he needed to survive.
“Our police dogs serve and protect us, so it is high time we do the same,” said state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn). “While Nero thankfully survived his injuries, we must ensure that other K-9 officers receive the medical care they deserve.”
This legislation allows K-9 officers to receive life-saving medical attention and ambulance transportation if they are injured in the line of duty, including basic first aid, CPR and administering naloxone.
The bill states, however, that people must still receive treatment and transportation first.
“These K-9 heroes will finally have access to life-saving medical care if injured on the job,” said state Rep. Peter Capano (D-Lynn). “Thank you to all of the advocates and legislators who worked so hard to get this legislation passed, and to both House and Senate leadership for prioritizing the health and safety of our police dogs.”
This bill would also require any emergency personnel providing care to a working animal to have completed training consistent with standards approved by the Office of Emergency Medical Services.
“Police canines are highly skilled partners that police departments have invested significant resources into training,” said state Rep. Dan Cahill (D-Lynn). “Should they be injured in the line of duty, they deserve the same access to treatment.”
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr. said Nero’s Law recognizes the critical public-safety role that K-9 police dogs provide to law enforcement.
“The passage of this bill will ensure that police officers’ K-9 partners have immediate on-site access to emergency medical treatment and transportation when they are injured in the line of duty,” Jones said.
The bill is going before Gov. Charlie Baker, who has already made it clear that he will sign it into law.
When he does, Massachusetts will join several other states that have similar laws in place.
As a daughter of a police officer, state Rep. Jessica Giannino (D-Revere) said she knows the risks that officers and their K-9 counterparts take every day.
“Police dogs are highly trained to jump into action to protect their officers in all situations. In turn, we should do our part to ensure their safety,” said Giannino. “I am proud to co-sponsor this bill and to stand up for the humane treatment of police dogs like Nero.”
