Current Minnesota law does not allow certified emergency medical responders to provide emergency care to police dogs injured in the line of duty. Minnesota House File 568 and Senate File 952 would allow certified emergency medical personnel to provide emergency medical care to injured police dogs. The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports both HF 568 and SF 952.
AKC values the contribution that all working and detection dogs make to national security and the extraordinary role that these dogs play in protecting the peace and security of individuals and communities. We honor the breeders, trainers, and handlers of these dogs, and support efforts ensuring that specialized care is provided to protect the wellbeing of police dogs.
HF 568 is scheduled to be considered by the House Health Finance and Policy Committee in a virtual hearing on Friday, March 12, at 1PM. SF 952 is scheduled for consideration by the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee in an in-person and virtual hearing on Monday, March 15, at 1PM.
Minnesota residents are encouraged to contact the members of House Health Finance and Policy Committee to express support of HF 568 and the members of the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee to express support of SF 952.
Comments in support of HF 568 may be emailed to the House Health Finance and Policy Committee’s Administrator Patrick McQuillan at Patrick.McQuillan@house.mn. Contact information for individual committee members is available here. Please also copy HF 568 sponsor Representative Shane Mekeland at Rep.Shane.Mekeland@house.mn.
Comments in support of SF 952 may be emailed to the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee Administrator Bailey Strand at Bailey.Strand@senate.mn. Contact information for individual members is available here. Please also copy bill sponsor Senator Andrew Mathews at Sen.Andrew.Mathews@senate.mn.
AKC Government Relations will provide updates on HF 568, SF 952, and other dog-related Minnesota legislation as developments warrant. For more information, contact doglaw@akc.org.