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Bill creates new protections for law enforcement K9 officers.
Today, the Massachusetts State Legislature enacted legislation to create new protections for K9 law enforcement officers. The bill was filed in response to the tragic event on April 12, 2018, that took the life of New Bedford-native Sergeant Sean Gannon. His fearless K9 partner Nero was also severely injured, requiring significant medical attention.
Despite the multiple empty ambulances on site, Nero had to be rushed to the animal hospital in the back of a police cruiser. Fortunately, Nero was able to survive his injuries, but the inability to transport him shows callousness in our laws towards working dogs who risk their lives every day to serve our commonwealth.
S2573, An Act allowing humane transportation of K9 partners aka Nero’s law, authorizes emergency medical service personnel to provide emergency treatment and transport K9 officers. This includes basic first aid, CPR, and administering life-saving interventions such as naloxone. The Senate passed the bill in November 2021, and the House similarly engrossed earlier today. This sets the stage for final legislative enactment that can occur as early as Monday.
“K9 officers like Nero are selfless heroes who endure extreme danger in order to keep us safe. We must honor their loyalty and service by ensuring EMS personnel can provide basic treatment and transport should they sustain serious injuries. As a native son of New Bedford, Sergeant Gannon, and by extension his K9 partner Nero, is forever a beloved part of our community. The Gannon family has been a tremendous force in ensuring this bill got done, inspiring myself and others to fight for this legislation every day. We hope this law helps honor their son’s legacy,” said Senator Mark Montigny, lead sponsor of the bill.
S2573 was originally filed by Montigny in 2019 and received favorable reports this session from the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, Chaired by Senator Walter Timilty, and the Senate Committee on Ways and Means , Chaired by Senator Michael Rodrigues. First-term Representative Steven Xiarhos also filed Montigny’s language this session in the House. Governor Baker is expected to sign the bill into law later this week.
