There is legislation on Beacon Hill that would allow EMTs and First Responders to treat police canines injured in the line of duty.
The bill, sponsored by Barnstable Representative Will Crocker, would allow first responders to treat K9s immediately if injured in the line of duty. Currently, in Massachusetts, the law penalizes EMTs if they assist an animal in an emergency.
Crocker’s bill prioritizes treating humans in need of medical treatment first and absolves first responders from liability.
Nine other legislators, including state reps Sarah Peake and Tim Whelan along with Cape and Islands state senator, Julian Cyr, support the legislation.
Yarmouth Police Chief, Frank Frederickson calls the bill “common sense.”