Providing Injured Canine Units Medical Attention

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Providing Injured Canine Units Medical Attention
Law enforcement agencies make substantial investments to train canines to help them solve crimes. These dogs are often viewed as fellow officers as they play an important role in daily operational tasks, including risking their lives alongside their human counterparts. As a result, they are sometimes injured while on duty and need medical attention quickly.

Currently, emergency medical officials are not allowed to transport or treat wounded officer canines, even if a dog’s life is at risk. An officer with the Evansville Police Department brought this issue to my attention, explaining the time and money invested in the canines, and wanting to ensure their safety as well.

To address this issue, I authored House Enrolled Act 1201, which would allow emergency personnel to transport or treat an injured police dog, as long as there is not an individual needing transportation or medical attention. Canine units would also have the opportunity to be transported to a veterinarian in an ambulance and receive medical attention from technicians to increase their chance of survival.