MA Governor Signs Bill Allowing EMTs to Transport Injured K-9s

The bill, known as Nero's Law, was drafted in response to the shooting that claimed the life of Yarmouth Police K-9 Sgt. Sean Gannon and severely wounded his K-9 partner, Nero.

Yarmouth, MA, police K-9 Nero recovers from wounds he received during a shooting that killed his handler, Sgt. Sean Gannon. (Photo: WCVB screen shot)Yarmouth, MA, police K-9 Nero recovers from wounds he received during a shooting that killed his handler, Sgt. Sean Gannon. (Photo: WCVB screen shot)

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill into state law on Tuesday that ensures law enforcement officers' K-9 partners receive life-saving medical attention and transport if they are injured in the line of duty.

The bill, known as Nero's Law, was drafted in response to the shooting that claimed the life of Yarmouth Police K-9 Sgt. Sean Gannon and severely wounded his K-9 partner, Nero.

Nero's law authorizes emergency medical service personnel to provide emergency treatment and transport of K-9 partners, including basic first aid, CPR and administering life-saving interventions such as naloxone, WCVB reports.

Gannon, 32, was shot and killed while serving a warrant in the town of Barnstable in April 2018. Despite the multiple ambulances on site, Nero had to be rushed to the animal hospital in the back of a police cruiser with a gunshot wound to the side of his face. The bullet was also believed to be lodged in the K-9's shoulder.

Nero, who is retired, has recovered from his injuries and now living with Gannon's widow.

The man convicted of Gannon's murder and wounding Nero, Thomas Latanowich, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in connection with the shooting on Aug. 20.

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