ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Law enforcement K9s injured in the line of duty in Florida can receive emergency treatment at the scene and can be transported by emergency vehicles, thanks to a bill signed into law Friday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The proposal (SB 388) makes paramedics and emergency medical technicians immune from criminal and civil liabilities when treating an injured police K9.
“I think this is something that’s overdue. I think it will end up potentially saving the lives of some of our K9s, and I know that that’s something that many of us would like to see,” DeSantis said during a news conference Friday at the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick said the bill underscores the importance of the relationship between officers and their K9 partners.
“They’re not just K9s. These are deputies, these are firefighters, these are investigators,” Hardwick said. “It’s just so important that we recognize that they are a part of this profession and this family. And they serve this community.”