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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

     RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- ANIMAL CARE

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, C Lima, Solomon, Edwards, Shanley, Serpa,
Amore, Carson, Craven, and Noret

     Date Introduced: January 10, 2022

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     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. Humane transportation of K-9 partners.

     (a) For this purposes of this section "police dog" means: a dog owned by a police

department or police agency of the State of Rhode Island or any political subdivision thereof, that

is used by the department or agency for official duties.

     (b) EMS personnel may provide emergency treatment to a police dog injured in the line of

duty and transport such police dog by ambulance to a veterinary care facility equipped to provide

emergency treatment to dogs; provided, however, that EMS personnel shall not transport an injured

police dog if providing such transport would inhibit their ability to provide emergency medical

attention or transport to a person requiring such services.

     (c) The department of health, in consultation with the Rhode Island veterinary medical

association, the Rhode Island association of fire chiefs, the Rhode Island state association of

firefighters, at least two (2) practicing, licensed emergency medical technicians, the international

brotherhood of police officers' K-9 officer, the fraternal order of police's K-9 officer, and the

department of state police's K-9 unit, shall develop policies and procedures that include, but are not

limited to:

     (1) Appropriate training of EMS personnel to provide police dogs basic level first aid,

cardiopulmonary resuscitation and life-saving interventions, including, but not limited to,

administering naloxone; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall authorize the

provision of advanced life support care to a police dog;

     (2) Safe handling procedures for injured police dogs, including, but not limited to, the use

of a box muzzle and response coordination with a law enforcement official trained in handling

police dogs;

     (3) Identification of veterinary facilities that provide emergency treatment for injured

police dogs;

     (4) Decontamination of stretchers, the patient compartment and any contaminated medical

equipment after a police dog has been transported by ambulance or EMS vehicle; and

     (5) Sterilization of the interior of an ambulance or EMS vehicle before being returned to

human service, including, but not limited to, sanitizing all allergens and disinfection to a standard

safe for human transport.

     (d) The department of health may grant a waiver from this section if the department

determines that compliance poses a safety risk to the public. The department shall develop

regulations regarding applications and issuance of such a waiver.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

     RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- ANIMAL CARE

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     This act would allow emergency medical treatment to police dogs injured in the line of

duty, which would include transporting by ambulance.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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