Lakeville Fire trains in first aid for police dogs
Dec 26, 2022
Canine CPR was part of the training. Photos courtesy Lakeville Fire Department
Dr. Dave Wolfthal of Lakeville Animal Hospital helped department members learn about animal care.
The shooting death of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, whose canine partner Nero was severely wounded, inspired a new law allowing EMS to treat canines injured in the line of duty.
LAKEVILLE — The Lakeville Fire Department received training in emergency medical treatment and transportation for police dogs Dec. 15 at the Lakeville Senior Center.
The training was in connection with Nero’s Law, a new Massachusetts law that allows EMS personnel to treat and transport a police canine should the dog become wounded in the line of duty.
The legislation resulted from the fatal shooting of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon in 2018. His canine partner, Nero, was severely wounded in the incident but survived.
With the help of Lakeville Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr. Dave Wolfthal and his staff, department members learned how to perform appropriate K-9 first aid and CPR and even trained in how to administer Narcan for a dog that might have been exposed to opioids.
Lakeville Animal Hospital will also donate two veterinarian oxygen/rescue mask kits for Lakeville EMS staff to use if the police dog suffered from smoke inhalation or endured any other respiratory compromise.
The Lakeville Fire Department thanked the Lakeville Council on Aging for the use of the facility for training.
