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SB 267

AN ACT ALLOWING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY TREATMENT AND TRANSPORTATION TO INJURED POLICE DOGS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Somers

Connecticut SB 267 permits EMS personnel to provide emergency medical treatment and transport injured police dogs, expanding emergency care scope to working law enforcement animals.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Safety and Security
#emergencymedicalresponders #injuries #policedogs
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Bill Summary · SB 267

Legislative bill overview

SB 267 authorizes emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to provide emergency treatment and transportation for injured police dogs during their duties. The bill expands the scope of EMS care to include canine law enforcement animals alongside human patients.

Why is this important

Police dogs are working animals that support law enforcement operations and officer safety. Enabling rapid emergency medical response to injured K-9 units could reduce recovery time and operational downtime for police departments, while also reflecting evolving standards for animal welfare in public safety contexts.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource allocation concerns: Critics may argue that EMS resources are already stretched thin serving human populations, and expanding services to animals diverts limited personnel and equipment from human emergency care
  • Scope creep and precedent: Establishing EMS authority for police dogs raises questions about whether other working animals (military dogs, detection animals) or private animals should receive similar treatment
  • Cost and liability: Unclear who bears costs for veterinary emergency care and what liability protections or limitations apply to EMS personnel treating animals versus humans
  • Training requirements: The bill may require EMS personnel to receive canine emergency medical training, creating additional certification and ongoing education burdens

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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