Course Description
Under Chapter 23 of the Acts of 2022, known commonly as “Nero’s Law,” EMS is required to assess, treat and transport police K9s who are injured in the line of duty. However, EMS shall not transport an injured police K9 if providing such transport would inhibit their ability to provide emergency medical attention or transport to a person requiring such services.
This statute requires EMS personnel to provide police dogs first aid care at the BLS-level. This includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation and life-saving interventions, including, but not limited to, administering naloxone. The statute does NOT authorize EMS to provide ALS-level care to a police dog.
The statute protects EMS personnel from liability when they provide care to police dogs in accordance with the statute and these protocols. It also exempts EMS care provided in accordance with the statute and these protocols from being considered the practice of veterinary medicine.
