- April 18, 2024
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K-9 units from throughout Central Florida attend the news conference in Daytona Beach on March 5. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Attorney General Ashley Moody said 130 K-9s were killed in the line of duty last year in the U.S. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said K-9s form part of their handler's family. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood shakes Sen. Tom Wright's hand. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Sen. Tom Wright once was a volunteer K-9 officer. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said the bill makes sense. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Debbie and Emma Johnson, of K9s United, are committed to supporting K-9 units across the state. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A new legislation filed this session seeks to allow paramedics and EMTs to transport and provide emergency care to injured police K-9s, and law enforcement officers from throughout Central Florida, joined by state legislators, gathered at the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office training center on Friday, March 5 to show support for the bill.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody advocated for the passing of House Bill 697 and Senate Bill 388, the latter of which was filed by Florida Republican Sen. Tom Wright, whose District 14 encompasses parts of Volusia and Brevard counties. Moody said that currently, paramedics and EMTS are not permitted to transport injured K-9 officers, despite their role in law enforcement.
“They are no different than our law enforcement officers and deputies that are highly trained to rush into dangerous situations, often putting themselves and their safety behind those of those they’re trying to protect," Moody said.
Last year, Moody said 130 K-9s were injured in the U.S.
“If EMTs and medical professionals are able to provide lifesaving care, how many K-9 officer lives will be saved?” she said.
Wright, who once volunteered as a K-9 officer for two years, said he knows firsthand how inseparable these animals are with their handlers. Beyond being sworn officers and deputies, Wright said K-9s become part of the family.
On Thursday, March 4, the bill was passed through the last of the committees and is expected to be one of the first bills heard on the floor for the 2021 legislative session, Wright said.
“Our law enforcement officers swear to protect us and our community," Wright said. "You know they take an oath to that effect. So when we have the opportunity to help an officer in need, we must ensure that our laws are structured to assist in those efforts and not limit them.”
“As we can see today, the people who walk the thin blue line don’t always have two legs. They have four.”
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma
If passed, the bill will render paramedics and EMTs from any criminal or civil liability should they provide emergency care to a K-9 while in transport to a veterinary or hospital emergency facility. This is dependent on there not being an individual requiring transport or medical attention at the time, the bill reads.
Also present at the news conference were Debbie Johnson and her daughter Emma of K9s United, a nonprofit that lends support to K-9 units where budgets fall short, as well as when units unexpectedly experience tragedy. Johnson, who aided in the efforts to pass Senate Bill 96 in 2019 — which increased penalties for injuring or killing a K-9 — illustrated the importance of Wright's bill by telling the story of K-9 Bane, of Jacksonville.
On March 2, 2020, while taking a break from training with other K-9 units, the handlers went to quickly grab food. K-9 Bane was left inside the vehicle with the AC on and a few minutes later, the officers were notified that the vehicle was on fire. Unable to open the the trunk for K-9 Bane because the fire had damaged the electronic locks, his handler broke a window and kept the flames away with fire extinguishers until paramedics arrived at the scene.
K-9 Bane was treated at the scene and transported him to a veterinary facility. That saved his life, Johnson said.
Yet, Wright said the fire chief that made the decision to transport K-9 Bane almost lost his job because of that. Paramedics and EMTs are often trained in providing some emergency care to dogs, as they do so in emergency situations like house fires.
“If we value their service as we clearly did with the passing of SB 96, we must make every effort to get them the care that they need to help save their life if they are critically injured," Johnson said. "These units are invaluable to the communities they serve.”
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood highlighted the several K-9 officers and their handlers who attended the news conference.
“When you look at these men and women, what they do as K9 handlers — it’s not a job," he said. "It’s not a profession. It’s a calling.”
The Ormond Beach Police Department currently has two K-9 units, both specialized in narcotics detection. It's a huge investment for the city, the county and the officers that take the dogs home with them, said Police Chief Jesse Godfrey.
"We work closely with the sheriff’s office on a daily basis and the ability to be able to provide the K-9s with the medical aid is huge," Godfrey said.
Capt. Chris Roos said the 60 minutes following an serious injury are often the most critical for humans, and that applies to K-9s as well.
“This gets that dog the same protection," Roos said. "...It’s just amazing that it took this long for this to happen.”
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said this bill just makes sense.
“As we can see today, the people who walk the thin blue line don’t always have two legs," Lemma said. "They have four.”
