2021 -- H 5165

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LC000097

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

     RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- ANIMAL CARE

     

     Introduced By: Representative David A. Bennett

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2021

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 4-19 of the General Laws entitled "Animal Care" is hereby amended

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by adding thereto the following section:

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     4-19-23. Police dogs - Injured on duty.

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     (a) An emergency medical technician (EMT) or emergency medical service (EMS)

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provider may transport any police dog injured in the line of duty to a veterinary hospital or clinic

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provided, however, that there are no persons requiring medical attention or transport at such time.

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For purposes of this section, a "police dog" means a dog owned or used by a law enforcement

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department or agency in the course of the department's or agency's work, including a search and

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rescue dog, service dog, accelerant detection dog or other dog in use by a law enforcement agency.

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     (b) During transport, an EMT or EMS provider may provide care including:

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     (1) Opening and manually maintaining an airway;

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     (2) Giving mouth to snout or mouth to barrier ventilation;

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     (3) Administering oxygen;

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     (4) Managing ventilation by mask;

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     (5) Controlling hemorrhage with direct pressure;

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     (6) Immobilizing fractures;

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     (7) Bandaging; or

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     (8) Administering naloxone hydrochloride, if administering the drug has been authorized

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in accordance with a written protocol established and provided by a veterinarian or pursuant to a

 

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consultation with a veterinarian.

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     (c) An EMT or EMS provider who is in the performance of their duties and in good faith

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renders emergency first aid or transportation to an injured police dog as permitted by the provisions

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of this section, shall not be personally liable as a result of rendering such aid or transportation, nor

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shall they be liable to the veterinary hospital or clinic for expenses incurred for emergency care

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provided to the injured police dog.

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     (d) An EMT or EMS provider may require a member of the law enforcement department

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or agency to accompany the injured police dog during transport.

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     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 authorize emergency medical service providers to transport and provide

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first aid to police dogs injured in the line of duty.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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