Thursday, July 11, 2019
On Thursday, July 18th, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security will consider HB 2037 and SB 1431 to provide for the care and transportation of police dogs injured in the line of duty. These bills were newly filed this year after Nero, a Yarmouth Police K9, was hospitalized for a week after he was shot in 2018. His handler, Officer Sean Gannon was killed. Under current Massachusetts law, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are not allowed to treat or transport animals, which resulted in delayed veterinary care for Nero.
Passage of these proposals would allow EMTs to immediately treat and transport any police K9 injured in the line of duty. There are an estimated 200 police K9s on the job in Massachusetts.
AKC’s Position:
- The American Kennel Club (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.
- AKC honors the breeders, trainers and handlers of these dogs, and supports efforts ensuring that specialized care is provided to protect the wellbeing of these dogs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Massachusetts residents are encouraged to contact the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security before the hearing on Thursday, July 18th, to express support and expedient passage of HB 2037/SB 1431.
Senate Chairman Michael Moore
Phone: (617) 722-1485 or Email: Michael.Moore@masenate.gov
House Chairman Harold Naughton
Phone: (617) 722- 2230 or Email: Harold.Naughton@mahouse.gov
For more information on these or other legislative issues in Massachusetts, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org; or MassFed at info@massfeddogs.org.