Rep Xiarhos, recalling Nero s shooting in 2018, files legislation
Colin A. Young
State House News Service
After the same bill died of inaction last session, current and former police officers last Wednesday renewed their push for legislation to allow emergency medical professionals to treat and transport injured police dogs.
Though the bill has taken on new significance in the wake of an incident in Braintree last month, it dates back to 2018, when Sgt. Sean Gannon, 32, was killed when he, his canine partner Nero, and other officers from Barnstable and Yarmouth were serving a warrant in Marstons Mills.
Nero was also shot as Gannon attempted to serve the search warrant. Nero survived his injuries, but because of existing state laws, emergency personnel were not able to provide care or transport the canine partner to an emergency veterinary clinic as they would for a human first responder.