§ 4-19-24. Humane transportation of K-9 partners.
(a) For the 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 the 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 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.