2021 -- H 5165

========

LC000097

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

____________

A N   A C T

     RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- ANIMAL CARE

     Introduced By: Representative David A. Bennett

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2021

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 4-19 of the General Laws entitled "Animal Care" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following section:

     4-19-23. Police dogs - Injured on duty.

     (a) An emergency medical technician (EMT) or emergency medical service (EMS)

provider may transport any police dog injured in the line of duty to a veterinary hospital or clinic

provided, however, that there are no persons requiring medical attention or transport at such time.

For purposes of this section, a "police dog" means a dog owned or used by a law enforcement

department or agency in the course of the department's or agency's work, including a search and

rescue dog, service dog, accelerant detection dog or other dog in use by a law enforcement agency.

     (b) During transport, an EMT or EMS provider may provide care including:

     (1) Opening and manually maintaining an airway;

     (2) Giving mouth to snout or mouth to barrier ventilation;

     (3) Administering oxygen;

     (4) Managing ventilation by mask;

     (5) Controlling hemorrhage with direct pressure;

     (6) Immobilizing fractures;

     (7) Bandaging; or

     (8) Administering naloxone hydrochloride, if administering the drug has been authorized

in accordance with a written protocol established and provided by a veterinarian or pursuant to a

consultation with a veterinarian.

     (c) An EMT or EMS provider who is in the performance of their duties and in good faith

renders emergency first aid or transportation to an injured police dog as permitted by the provisions

of this section, shall not be personally liable as a result of rendering such aid or transportation, nor

shall they be liable to the veterinary hospital or clinic for expenses incurred for emergency care

provided to the injured police dog.

     (d) An EMT or EMS provider may require a member of the law enforcement department

or agency to accompany the injured police dog during transport.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC000097

========

LC000097 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

     RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- ANIMAL CARE

***

     This act would authorize emergency medical service providers to transport and provide

first aid to police dogs injured in the line of duty.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC000097

========

LC000097 - Page 3 of 3