Massachusetts state senate unanimously approves Nero's Law.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives and State Senate passed a bill on Monday that ensures law enforcement officers' K-9 partners receive life-saving medical attention and transport if they are injured in the line of duty.
The bill, known as Nero's Law, was drafted in response to the April 2018 shooting that claimed the life of Yarmouth Police K-9 Sgt. Sean Gannon, a New Bedford native, and severely injured his K-9 partner, Nero. Despite its life-threatening injuries and the desperate need for immediate treatment, the emergency medical personnel were unable to transport it because of the state law ban.
It is understandable that Emergency Medical Services (“EMS”) would prioritize the transport and treatment of human beings. However, when there is no competing need for human transport, it would be absurd not to allow an injured law enforcement dog to be transported by EMS for immediate treatment. The canine companion is in every part an active member of law enforcement.
The legislation, "An Act allowing humane transportation of K-9 partners," was first proposed by State Sen. Mark Montigny and is now approved by both houses of the Massachusetts Legislature.
“Providing emergency medical services to police dogs injured in the line of duty is both compassionate and appropriate, especially in light of what we're asking them to do,” Senate President Karen Spilka said in a statement. “Service dogs play a necessary role in effective law enforcement operations, and they deserve our support.”
“K-9 police dogs provide several indispensable services to the Massachusetts police force and the Commonwealth as a whole. Given the sometimes dangerous jobs that police dogs are asked to undertake, providing them with any necessary emergency medical care is our moral responsibility,” House Speaker Ron Mariano said in a statement.
Cape & Islands State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), a supporter of the bill said: -
“We rely on canines to serve alongside police officers to go where we cannot, seek out what we cannot detect, and search for the vulnerable in their most trying moments, yet existing law prohibits emergency responders from treating and transporting police canines like Nero when they are most in need.”
Nero's Law now advances to the desk of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker for consideration to be signed into law.
The man convicted of Gannon's murder and injuring Nero, Thomas Latanowich, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in connection with the shooting on Aug. 20.
Courtesy of Kelly Ma
