For Educational Purposes Only. Laws change, and a summary is never the statute. Every entry links to the official source.
Last verified 18 September 2026.
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Named for K9 Lakyn, a military working dog who died of health issues after his discharge from service. The act was presented in the Alabama House on behalf of his handler, Abby Smith, and sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm of Dothan. Signed May 2025 (HB 366).
Ala. Code § 22-18-46
Applies to: “Police dog” — any dog with specialized training or in the process of specialized training which is used by and under the control of a federal, state, or local peace officer, Class One Railroad Officer or special agent, firefighter, or any member of the military in the performance of his or her duties.
What it does: Authorizes EMS personnel to give emergency care to, and transport, a police dog injured in the line of duty, with good-faith immunity for the responder and a carve-out from the veterinary practice act so that treating the dog is not unlicensed veterinary practice.
Applies to:
What it does: License required – Certain acts not prohibited: (4) any person or his or her regular employee, administering to the ills or injuries of his or her own animals, including but not limited to castration and dehorning of cattle; (8) persons from gratuitously giving aid, assistance, or relief in emergency cases if they do not represent themselves to be veterinarians; (3) any Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in the employ of a state or federal agency while actually engaged in official duties.
Applies to:
What it does: § 08.98.125 Exemptions has only three paragraphs and no owner clause: (1) a veterinary medical officer in military service, or an employee in the federal or state government, performing veterinary medical services within official duties. The owner carve-out is not an exemption at all but an exclusion from the definition of practice, as 08.98.250(6)(D)(iii): “standard practices commonly performed on farm or domestic animals in the course of routine farming or animal husbandry, when performed by an owner or the owner’s employee.” No emergency exemption anywhere.
Applies to: “a police dog injured in the line of duty” — the section does not define the term
What it does: Each ambulance service SHALL require its EMTs to transport a police dog injured in the line of duty, along with a trained handler if available, to a veterinary clinic — but only when four conditions all hold: no person needs care or transport at that time, the trip is under thirty minutes, the service still has another ambulance available, and transport by the officer’s own vehicle is not safer or faster. A service MAY also authorize trained EMTs to treat the dog. Written policies may cover first aid, CPR and naloxone, muzzling and handler coordination, which vet facilities will take short-notice cases, and decontamination.
What a responder may do:
Applies to:
What it does: This chapter does not apply to: 2. a person who treats an animal belonging to the person or the person’S employer while in the regular service of that employer, or the animal of another without compensation; 1. a commissioned veterinary medical officer of the United States armed services or employees of the USDA animal disease eradication division; 6. an emergency medical care technician who provides emergency treatment pursuant to § 36-2230.
Named for K9 Gabo of the Jonesboro, Arkansas police department, who served seven years with his handler, Inv. Erik Johnson. In December 2018 Gabo was sent into an apartment to apprehend a barricaded suspect who had already shot someone and would not surrender. He was shot five times and did not let go — he kept pulling her from her hiding place until officers could reach her. A bullet- and stab-proof vest stopped the round that would have killed him. Johnson carried him down the stairs and drove him to a veterinarian. Gabo was back on duty two months later, and he and Johnson were named Officer of the Year in 2019; Gabo also received the Medal of Valor. He died in 2020. The statute names itself for him: “This section shall be known and may be cited as ‘Gabo’s Law’.”
Photo of K9 Gabo courtesy of Arkansas K9 MEDIC, used with permission. All rights remain with the copyright owner.
Ark. Code § 20-13-217
Applies to: § 20-13-202(12): “Police dog” means a dog owned or used by a law enforcement or correctional agency in the course of the law enforcement or correctional agency’s work, including without limitation a search and rescue dog, service dog, accelerant detection dog, or other dog in use by a law enforcement agency.
What it does: EMS personnel MAY transport a police dog injured in the course of law enforcement or correctional work to a veterinary hospital, provided no person needs immediate care or transport at the time — a person is always transported and treated first. And during that transport they may treat it: opening and manually maintaining an airway; mouth-to-snout or mouth-to-barrier ventilation; oxygen; managing ventilation by mask; controlling hemorrhage with direct pressure; immobilizing fractures; bandaging; naloxone where a veterinarian has authorized it by written protocol or in consultation; and euthanasia. Responders who help are not liable civilly or criminally for the care given, and are not on the hook for the transport or the vet’s bill. Transport is permitted, never required, and nothing stops an officer from driving the dog themselves. “Police dog” reaches a search and rescue dog, service dog, accelerant detection dog, or other dog in use by a law enforcement agency.
What a responder may do:
Applies to:
What it does: License required — Exemptions: (5) the owner of an animal, his or her consignees, and their employees from performing routine accepted livestock management practices in the care of animals belonging to the owner; (3) reciprocal aid of neighbors performing routine accepted livestock management practices without compensation; (1) employees of the United States, state, or local government who are certified to perform euthanasia, from performing their official duties; (13) emergency medical services personnel or providers from transporting an injured police dog as authorized under § 20-13-217.
Applies to: “Dog” means a domesticated canine animal owned for companionship, service, therapeutic, or assistance purposes.
What it does: An emergency responder MAY provide basic first aid to dogs and cats, to the extent that care is not prohibited by the responder’s employer, and is not subject to criminal prosecution under the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act for doing so. The section imposes no duty to act, and does not apply to a 911 call made for an animal. Amended by AB 463, effective Jan 1, 2026.
What a responder may do:
Applies to:
What it does: A licensed ambulance operator MAY transport a police canine or a search and rescue dog injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic, if no other person requires medical attention or transport at that time; to the extent feasible the handler accompanies the animal. An emergency responder MAY provide basic first aid while the animal is being transported. Nothing requires an ambulance to transport or a responder to provide aid, and a contract may not make it a condition of award. An operator that elects to transport must file policies with, and have them approved by, the local EMS agency. Good faith immunity applies, except for gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Added by AB 463 — this section did not exist before Jan 1, 2026.
Applies to:
What it does: Nothing in the chapter prohibits any person from practicing veterinary medicine as a bona fide owner of one’s own animals. The exemption applies to the owner’s bona fide employees, and to any person assisting the owner provided the practice is performed gratuitously.
Applies to:
What it does: The first state in the country to let emergency responders treat animals. An emergency medical service provider MAY give preveterinary emergency care to dogs and cats, intended to get the animal to a veterinarian. Carved out of the Veterinary Practice Act, so doing it is not unlicensed veterinary practice. Two limits worth knowing: this is CARE, not transport, and it does not cover a 911 call made solely for an animal unless a person’s life is also at risk.
What a responder may do — immediate medical stabilization by means including:
…to the extent the provider has been trained and the employer authorizes it.
Applies to:
What it does: Article 315 does not prohibit (a) an employee of the federal, state or local government from performing the employee’s official duties; (c) a person from performing accepted livestock management practices; or (f)(I) the owner of an animal and the owner’s employees from caring for and treating the animal belonging to the owner.
Applies to:
What it does: The chapter does not apply to (1) a person in governmental employ while acting in the scope of employment, (2) a person who furnishes medical or surgical assistance without compensation in an emergency, or (6) the owner of any animal or livestock, or the owner’s employee, while administering to that animal. The owner clause was added by P.A. 03-198 (2003).
Applies to: “police dog” — not defined in § 9816 or in the chapter’s definitions at § 9802
What it does: A paramedic or EMS provider MAY treat an injured police dog at the scene, and MAY transport it to a designated veterinary facility while continuing care en route, where they judge that necessary for the dog’s survival. The handler must be present if available. Good-faith care carries civil immunity unless willful, wanton, reckless or grossly negligent. They may NOT treat the dog if their help is needed at the same time for a person and caring for the dog would hinder that.
Applies to:
What it does: The chapter may not be construed to prohibit (1) an employee of the federal, state or local government performing official duties, (3) acts the Board has prescribed as accepted livestock management practices, or (6) the owner of an animal and the owner’s employee caring for and treating the animal belonging to the owner.
Applies to: “police canine” means any canine that is owned, or the service of which is employed, by a state or local law enforcement agency, a correctional agency, a fire department, a special fire district, or the State Fire Marshal for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, flammable materials, or Missing Persons; the enforcement of laws; the investigation of fires; or the apprehension of offenders
What it does: “Treatment of injured police canines.” A permitted transport vehicle MAY carry a police canine injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic when no person needs care or transport at that time — and, notwithstanding the veterinary practice act, a paramedic or EMT MAY give it emergency medical care at the scene as well as during transport. “Police canine” reaches dogs employed by law enforcement, corrections, a fire department, a special fire district or the State Fire Marshal, including for detecting missing persons.
Applies to: “police canine” means any canine that is owned, or the service of which is employed, by a state or local law enforcement agency, a correctional agency, a fire department, a special fire district, or the State Fire Marshal for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, flammable materials, or Missing Persons; the enforcement of laws; the investigation of fires; or the apprehension of offenders
What it does: The other half of Florida’s arrangement. § 474.203 lists who is exempt from the Veterinary Practice Act, and subsection (10) exempts a paramedic or an EMT providing emergency medical care to a police canine injured in the line of duty as authorized under § 401.254 — so the care § 401.254 permits is not unlicensed veterinary practice.
What it does: Part of Florida’s Good Samaritan Act. Any person — including a veterinarian — who gratuitously and in good faith gives emergency care or treatment to an injured animal is shielded from civil damages, provided they acted as an ordinarily prudent person would have in the same circumstances. Note the limit that makes this narrower than it first sounds: it applies at the scene of an emergency on or adjacent to a roadway.
Applies to:
What it does: The chapter does not apply to (5)(a) any person, or the person’s regular employee, administering to the ills or injuries of her or his own animals; or (4) a veterinarian in the employ of a state agency or the United States Government while actually engaged in official duties.
Applies to:
What it does: Exemptions from article: (7)(A) the owner of an animal or the owner’s bona fide employees caring for and treating the animal; (7)(B) the owner’S friend or relative caring for or treating the animal, provided no fee is charged and they do not solicit, advertise or regularly engage in providing such care; (1)(A) an employee of the federal, state, or local government or any contractual partner thereof performing duties relating to animals owned by, on loan to, or under the control of such employer; (3) acceptable livestock and food animal management practices.
Applies to:
What it does: License required — this section does not apply to: (1) any person from gratuitously treating animals in case of emergency; (2) the owner of any animal and the owner’s full-time regular employees caring for and treating animals belonging to the owner, provided that an unlicensed person shall not perform any surgical procedure on a pet animal, including cesarean section, ear cropping, tail docking, devocalization, declawing or dewclaw removal, or castration via banding; (4) any person practising in the employ of the united states government in official duties; (6) any farmer from giving another farmer customary animal husbandry assistance.
Applies to:
What it does: The chapter shall not be construed to prohibit (q) any person from the gratuitous treatment of animals in an emergency as a neighborly act; or (a) a veterinarian employed by federal, state or local government from performing official duties.
Applies to: “police dog” means a dog owned or used by a law enforcement department or agency in the course of the department or agency’s work, including a search and rescue dog, service dog, accelerant detection canine, or other dog that is in use by a county, municipal, or State law enforcement agency
What it does: Subsection (e): an EMR, EMT, EMT-I, A-EMT, PHRN, PHAPRN, PHPA or Paramedic MAY transport a police dog injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic when no person requires care or transport at that time. Transport only — no treatment authority is granted. “Police dog” includes a search and rescue dog, service dog, accelerant detection canine, or other dog used by a county, municipal or State law enforcement agency.
Applies to:
What it does: Nothing in the Act applies to (12) a person who, without expectation of compensation, provides emergency veterinary care in an emergency or disaster situation, so long as the person does not represent themselves as a veterinarian; or (1) veterinarians employed by the federal or State government while engaged in official duties.
Applies to: “operational canine” means a dog that is owned, used, or requested for use by a law enforcement agency or a federal, state, or local fire or other emergency response agency, used for the principal purposes of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, the enforcement of laws, the apprehension of offenders, providing search and rescue services, or ensuring the public safety and welfare. Includes an arson investigation dog, a bomb detection dog, a narcotic detection dog, a patrol dog, a military working dog, and a search and rescue dog.
What it does: Chapter 13 — Emergency Transport of Operational Canines. § 1 defines an operational canine as a dog owned, used, or requested for use by a law enforcement agency or a federal, state or local fire or other emergency response agency, used principally to aid in detecting criminal activity, enforcing laws, apprehending offenders, providing search and rescue services, or ensuring public safety. The term includes an arson investigation dog, a bomb detection dog, a narcotic detection dog, a patrol dog, a military working dog, and a search and rescue dog.
§ 2: if there is not an individual requiring medical attention or transport, a paramedic, advanced EMT or EMT may use ambulance services to transport an operational canine injured in the line of duty to a veterinary hospital or clinic. During transport they may provide: opening and manually maintaining an airway; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; administering oxygen; managing ventilation by mask; controlling hemorrhage with direct pressure; immobilizing fractures; bandaging; procedures authorized under a written protocol established by the state veterinarian; procedures authorized by the Indiana emergency medical services commission; and, if trained in canine tactical combat casualty care (K9TCCC), care within the scope and protocols of that training.
Unless a written agreement says otherwise, the agency that owns or requested the dog is responsible for transportation and treatment cost. § 3 grants immunity from liability; § 4 provides that this is not the practice of veterinary medicine.
What a responder may do:
Applies to:
What it does: License and permit requirements; exceptions: (6) an owner or a contract operator of an animal, or a regular employee of the owner or a contract operator, caring for and treating an animal; (2) a veterinary medical officer in the US armed forces or a veterinarian employed by a federal, state, or local government agency performing services within official duties.
Applies to: “police service dog” — the section does not define the term; it applies where the dog was on duty under the supervision of a peace officer as defined in § 801.4 and suffered a severe injury
What it does: Subsection 3, added by 2025 Acts ch. 53 § 1, adds to what a certified emergency medical care provider may do: provide veterinary medical services by diagnosing or treating a severely injured police service dog, as provided in § 169.4. The conditions all sit in that section.
Applies to: “police service dog” — the section does not define the term; it applies where the dog was on duty under the supervision of a peace officer as defined in § 801.4 and suffered a severe injury
What it does: Subsection 17 — among the most tightly conditioned provisions in the country. An emergency medical care provider MAY ELECT to diagnose or treat a police service dog only where all three hold: the dog was on duty under a peace officer’s supervision, it suffered a severe injury, and the care is needed to immediately stabilize it for later treatment by a veterinarian. They may equally elect NOT to, and if they do act reasonably and in good faith they are not civilly liable. Then the limits: the dog may be treated only after every human at the scene has been fully treated; equipment must not be used, or must be given up, if it is needed for a person or is dispatched elsewhere; care stops if the provider or their vehicle is dispatched elsewhere; and a severely injured police service dog shall not be transported in a vehicle that provides emergency medical or ambulance services. Subsection 5 separately exempts an animal’s owner and their bona fide employees from the practice act — except where ownership was transferred to circumvent the chapter. Subsection 17 is new: 2025 Acts ch. 53 § 2.
Transport by a vehicle providing emergency medical or ambulance services is not authorised.
Applies to:
What it does: Exempts the owner of an animal, or the owner’s bona fide employees, from caring for and treating the animal in the possession of such owner; an employee of the federal, state or local government from performing official duties; and any person advising with respect to or performing accepted livestock management practices.
Applies to:
What it does: Practice without license prohibited; exceptions: (a) an employee of the federal, state or local government performing official duties; (b) A person from gratuitously giving aid, assistance or relief in veterinary emergency cases if such person does not represent themselves to be veterinarians or use any title or degree appertaining to the practice thereof; (f) the owner of an animal and the owner’s regular employee caring for and treating the animal belonging to such owner.
Applies to:
What it does: No provision of the chapter prohibits (a) any persons from gratuitously treating animals in cases of emergency care, provided they do not use “veterinarian”, “veterinary” or similar titles; or (b)1. the owner of any animal, the owner’s full-time or part-time regular employees, or the owner’S agent, from caring for and treating animals maintained in their custody, including administering drugs obtained and used lawfully — but treatment shall not include surgery. (e) exempts US Armed Services and USDA APHIS personnel performing official duties.
Applies to:
What it does: License requirement and exceptions — this Chapter shall not be construed to prohibit: (6) the owner of an animal and the owner’s full-time regular employee caring for and treating the animal belonging to such owner; (1) an employee of the federal, state, or local government performing official duties; (3) accepted livestock management practices.
What it does: An emergency medical services person, a security services dog handler or a law enforcement officer who voluntarily, without the expectation of monetary or other compensation, renders first aid, emergency treatment or rescue assistance to a law enforcement dog, search and rescue dog or service dog that is unconscious, ill, injured or in need of rescue assistance is not liable for damages for injury to or death of the dog unless caused willfully, wantonly or recklessly or by gross negligence. It applies to the extent the person has received training in the medical stabilization of dogs, and not on the premises of a veterinary hospital or clinic. A search and rescue dog is one certified by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Bureau of Warden Service, or in training with an organization the Bureau recognizes. This is an immunity shield, not a grant of authority to treat or transport.
Applies to:
What it does: License required — this section does not apply to: (5) the owner or caretaker of an animal and the owner’s regular employee caring for and treating the animal belonging to such owner; (1) an employee of the federal, state or local government performing official duties; (3) a person performing accepted livestock practices.
What it does: A person is not civilly liable for any act or omission in giving veterinary aid, care or assistance to an animal where the owner or custodian is not available to grant permission, if the act is not gross negligence, no fee or other compensation is taken from the owner, and the aid is given at the scene of an emergency, in transit to a veterinary facility, or through communications with licensed veterinary personnel providing emergency veterinary assistance. The section applies to licensed veterinary and medical providers and to a member of any State, county, municipal, or volunteer fire department, ambulance and rescue squad, or law enforcement agency, among others it lists. This is an immunity shield, not a grant of authority to treat or transport.
Applies to:
What it does: The practice of veterinary medicine does not include or apply to (1) any person practicing in the performance of civil or military official duties in the service of the United States or of the State, or (5) a person administering to the ills and injuries of his own animals.
Named for K9 Nero of the Yarmouth, Massachusetts police department, who was wounded in the 2018 attack that killed his handler, Sgt. Sean Gannon. Nero survived. Signed February 2022. Sgt. Gannon’s memorial at the Officer Down Memorial Page
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111C, § 9A
Applies to: ch. 111C § 1: “Police dog”, a dog owned by a police department or police agency of the commonwealth, or any political subdivision thereof, and used by the department or agency for official duties.
What it does: EMS personnel SHALL treat a police dog injured in the line of duty and transport it by ambulance to a veterinary facility — unless doing so would inhibit their ability to treat or transport a person. This is a duty, not permission. The state must issue regional protocols covering first aid, CPR and life-saving intervention including naloxone (but NOT advanced life support), safe handling with a box muzzle alongside a trained handler, which vet facilities take police dogs, decontamination of the stretcher and patient compartment, and sterilization of the vehicle before it returns to human service.
What a responder may do:
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111C, § 21
Applies to: ch. 111C § 1: “Police dog”, a dog owned by a police department or police agency of the commonwealth, or any political subdivision thereof, and used by the department or agency for official duties.
What it does: The immunity half of Nero’s Law. EMS personnel who in good faith render emergency first aid, CPR, transportation or other EMS to an injured police dog under § 9A are not personally liable for doing so, nor for transporting the dog to a veterinary care facility — and are not liable to that facility for its expenses where they caused the dog’s admission under emergency conditions.
What a responder may do:
Applies to:
What it does: The term “practicing veterinary medicine” does not include: (4) the gratuitous giving of aid or relief to an animal in an accident or emergency, provided the person giving the aid or relief does not represent himself as a registered veterinarian; (7) the performing of veterinary or surgical works or the giving of advice to his neighbors by a person, provided that he does not hold himself out as a registered veterinarian or receive pecuniary consideration; (9) the provision of care to an injured police dog by an EMS provider under section 9A of chapter 111C.
Applies to: “police dog” means that term as defined in MCL 750.50c: “a dog used by a law enforcement agency of this state or of a local unit of government of this state that is trained for law enforcement work and subject to the control of a dog handler”
What it does: An ambulance is not prohibited from providing emergency transport of a police dog injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic, where the dog needs emergency treatment and no person requires transport or emergency assistance at that time. Ambulance personnel MAY require that a police officer accompany the dog. Transport only. Added by 2018 Act 600, effective 29 March 2019.
Applies to:
What it does: Conduct not considered practice of veterinary medicine — only four subdivisions. (a) administers to livestock owned by that individual; (d) a regularly employed veterinarian of the USDA or a full-time veterinary food inspector.
Applies to: “a police dog wounded in the line of duty” — “police dog” is not defined in § 156.12
What it does: Nothing in the veterinary practice chapter shall be construed to prohibit a person certified by the director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services under chapter 144E from providing emergency medical care to a police dog wounded in the line of duty. Care only; the section says nothing about transport.
Applies to:
What it does: Nothing in the chapter prevents (d) the owner of an animal and the owner’s regular employee from caring for and administering to the animal belonging to the owner.
Applies to: “police dog” means a dog owned or used by a law enforcement department or agency in the course of the department or agency’s work, including a search and rescue dog, service dog, accelerant detection canine, or other dog that is in use by a county, municipal, or state law enforcement agency
What it does: Subsection (4): “An EMT, EMT-A, EMR, or Paramedic may transport a police dog injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic, hospital emergency department or similar facility if there are no persons requiring medical attention or transport at that time.” The definition is unusually broad: “police dog” means a dog owned or used by a law enforcement department or agency in the course of its work, including a search and rescue dog, service dog, accelerant detection canine, or other dog in use by a county, municipal or state law enforcement agency. Transport only — the section grants no authority to treat.
Applies to:
What it does: This chapter shall not be construed to prohibit: (j) any owner of an animal and any of the owner’s regular employees caring for and treating the animal belonging to such owner — a VCPR must exist when prescription drugs or extralabel nonprescription drugs are administered, dispensed or prescribed; (p) any person who, without expectation of compensation, provides emergency veterinary care in an emergency or disaster situation; (a) any employee of the federal, state or local government performing official duties; (c) accepted livestock management practices.
Applies to:
What it does: Practice without license prohibited — exceptions: (1) any person from gratuitously providing emergency treatment, aid or assistance to animals where a licensed veterinarian is not available within a reasonable length of time, if the person does not represent himself or herself to be a veterinarian; (5) the owner of any animals and the owner’s full-time employees caring for and treating animals belonging to such owner, with or without the advice of a licensed veterinarian — however only a licensed veterinarian may immunize or treat an animal for diseases communicable to humans and of public health significance; (3) USDA or Missouri department of agriculture personnel in disease/parasite control functions.
No relevant laws identified. No first responder statute, and no Good Samaritan, ownership or government exemption that reaches a responder.
Applies to: “law enforcement canine” means any canine owned or employed in the service of any state or local law enforcement agency, the Department of Correctional Services, any local fire department, or the State Fire Marshal for the purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, flammable materials, or missing persons; the enforcement of laws; the investigation of fires; or the apprehension of criminal offenders
What it does: “Law enforcement canine; transportation and emergency medical care; authorized, when; immune from liability.” A licensed emergency transport service MAY carry a law enforcement canine injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic when no person requires care or transport. The definition reaches canines serving law enforcement, the Department of Correctional Services, a local fire department or the State Fire Marshal — including for detecting missing persons and investigating fires.
Applies to:
What it does: (1) An employee of the federal, state, or local government from performing his or her official duties. (7) An owner of livestock or a bona fide farm or ranch employee from performing vaccination, surgery, pregnancy testing, embryo transfer on bovine, or administering drugs in the treatment of domestic animals under his or her custody or ownership.
Applies to:
What it does: Nothing in the chapter applies: (1) to the gratuitous treatment of diseased animals by friends or neighbors of the owner (vaccinations for zoonotic diseases excepted); (2) to debar any veterinarian in the employ of the United States Government or the State of Nevada from performing official duties; (5) to the owner of an animal or full-time regular employee of the owner who is caring for and treating an animal which belongs to the owner, unless the ownership of the animal is transferred for the purposes of circumventing the chapter; (7) to any person, other than a veterinarian, who renders aid, assistance or relief to an animal in an emergency without charge if the person does not represent himself or herself as holding a license to practice veterinary medicine; (8) to any person, other than a veterinarian, who renders emergency paramedical services to an animal without charge during the transportation of the animal to a veterinary facility.
Applies to: “Operational canine” means a canine owned or used by a law enforcement department or agency, or fire department, in the course of the department or agency’s work, including a police canine, search and rescue canine, scent detection canine, comfort canine, or other canine that is in use by a county, municipal, or state law enforcement agency. “Official duties” shall include, but are not limited to, line of duty incidents, deployments, trainings, certifications, and related transportation.
What it does: “Operational Canines; Hospital Treatment,” inside New Hampshire’s Emergency Medical and Trauma Services chapter. An operational canine is one owned or used by a law enforcement department or agency, or a fire department, in the course of that agency’s work. The definition of law enforcement officer also reaches National Guard members in active state service ordered by the governor.
Applies to:
What it does: License Required and Exceptions: (I) an employee of the federal, state, or local government performing official duties; (V) the owner of an animal or the owner’s regular employee caring for and treating the animal belonging to such owner; (X) an animal owner or his or her designated agent performing treatment as prescribed by a veterinarian with a valid veterinarian-patient relationship; (iii) accepted livestock management practices. no emergency clause.
Applies to:
What it does: Exclusions from the definition of practice: (4) the administration to the ills and injuries to their own animals by persons owning such animals, provided they otherwise comply with all laws relative to medicines and biologics; (5) persons gratuitously giving aid, assistance or relief in emergency or accident cases, if they do not represent themselves to be veterinarians; (2) practice by any veterinarian in official duties in the service of the State of New Jersey or the United States, civil or military.
Applies to:
What it does: Exemptions: (A) employees of federal or state governments performing official duties; (C) reciprocal aid of neighbors in performing routine accepted livestock management practices; (F) the owner of an animal and the owner’s consignees and their employees while performing routine accepted livestock management practices in the care of animals belonging to the owner.
Applies to: “police work dog” — the section does not define the term
What it does: A paramedic or EMT MAY transport a police work dog injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic, provided no person requires medical attention or transport at that time. Transport only — the section grants no treatment authority.
What it does: Veterinarians only. A licensed veterinarian who voluntarily and without expectation of payment renders first aid or emergency treatment to an ill or injured animal at the scene of an accident or other emergency, outside a clinic or veterinary office, is not liable for damages absent gross negligence.
Applies to:
What it does: Exempt persons include any person rendering gratuitous services in cases of emergency. The section lists no owner exemption.
Applies to: § 90-187.10(13): an injured K-9 police unit animal or an injured certified search and rescue dog deployed by or contracted to work with a federal, State, or local agency or department. § 131E-155.2: a search and rescue dog is a dog certified by any national certification organization that is deployed by or contracted to work with a federal, State, or local agency or department.
What it does: Two things in one act: it lets EMS personnel carry pepper spray, and it creates an exemption to the practice of veterinary medicine for emergency personnel who render emergency medical services to an injured K-9 police animal or an injured search and rescue dog at the scene of an emergency.
Applies to:
What it does: Exempts any person administering first aid, not including surgical or invasive procedures, to companion animals in emergency situations, provided the animals are owned by that person or that person’s employer; and an employee of the USDA, the US Public Health Service or other federal agency, or of North Carolina or a political subdivision, from performing official duties while so commissioned or employed.
Applies to:
What it does: Not the practice of veterinary medicine: (a) an individual who treats animals owned by themselves or the individual’S regular employer; (e) an employee of the United States or this state in the performance of duties as an employee; (m) an individual who performs gratuitous services for an animal in a life-threatening situation. Subsection (2): the section does not protect anyone from the state’s animal cruelty laws.
Applies to: Treatment: a dog or cat. Transport: a police dog as defined in § 2921.321 — a dog that has been trained, and may be used, to assist law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.
What it does: Broader than most: in the course of an emergency medical, fire, or law-enforcement-aid response, a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-intermediate or paramedic MAY provide emergency medical services to a dog or cat — not only a police dog — before it is transferred to a veterinarian, but only to the extent they are already authorized to perform the corresponding service on a person. Effective 3 April 2023.
What a responder may do:
Applies to:
What it does: This chapter does not apply to: (A) a person who administers to animals, the title to which is vested in the person’s self; (I) A person who offers gratuitous services in the case of an emergency; (C) a member of the armed forces, or an employee of the USDA, US Public Health Service, other federal agency, or the Ohio Department of Agriculture, performing official duties; (D) accepted livestock management practices; and (J) a first responder or emt-basic/intermediate/paramedic providing emergency medical services to a dog or cat under § 4765.52.
Applies to:
What it does: “Acts not prohibited” — 14 items, no emergency exemption among them. (2) the owner of an animal, or the owner’s employees or helpers, from caring for or treating animals belonging to the owner, provided the employees’ or helpers’ otherwise-prohibited acts are only an incidental part of their employment duties and no special compensation is made for them; (3) acts of a person in lawful possession of an animal for some purpose other than practicing veterinary medicine, with no charge made; (6) acts of any employee in the course of employment by the federal government; (1) acts of animal husbandry on farm animals.
Applies to: “Police dog” means a dog owned or used by a law enforcement unit, as defined in ORS 181A.355, in the course of the law enforcement unit’s work.
What it does: Notwithstanding any local law to the contrary, an emergency medical services provider may provide emergency transportation for treatment to a police dog that is injured in the line of duty, provided that such transportation for treatment does not delay or otherwise interfere with the emergency transportation for treatment of any human. Transport only; the section grants no authority to treat.
Applies to:
What it does: Nothing prevents any person, or the agent or employee of the person, from practicing veterinary medicine, surgery or dentistry in a humane manner on any animal belonging to the person, agent or employee, or for gratuitous services. Separately, ors 686.440 grants immunity from civil liability for emergency treatment.
What it does: A person, including an emergency response provider, whether trained to practice medicine, who in good faith renders emergency care, treatment, first aid or rescue to an injured police animal at the scene of an emergency event or crime, or who moves an injured police animal receiving such care to a hospital or other place of medical care, is not liable for any civil damages as a result of rendering aid, except for an act or omission intentionally designed to harm or grossly negligent acts or omissions that result in harm to the animal. “Emergency response provider” includes Federal, State and local emergency public safety, law enforcement, emergency response and emergency medical services personnel, response teams, agencies and authorities. “Police animal” is as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5531. Added by Act 60 of 2022. This is an immunity shield, not a grant of authority to treat or transport.
What it does: Veterinarians only. An individual licensed to practice veterinary medicine who in good faith gives emergency care to an animal found at the scene of an accident or emergency — or brought to them from one — is not liable for civil damages, short of intentional harm or gross negligence. “Good faith” expressly covers judging that care should not wait until the animal is hospitalized. One exception: it does not apply where the owner is present and can be consulted first. Responders and bystanders are covered by § 8332(b.1) above, not by this section.
Applies to:
What it does: Exemptions and Exceptions — this act shall not apply to: (4) any person or his or her regular employe or agent while practicing veterinary medicine on his or her own animals; (3) any doctor of veterinary medicine in the employ of the United States Government while actually engaged in official duties; (7) normal husbandry practices on bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine or equine animals or avis. there is no emergency or gratuitous-aid clause.
Applies to: “police dog” means a dog owned by a police department or police agency of the state of Rhode Island or any political subdivision thereof, that is used by the department or agency for official duties
What it does: “Humane transportation of K-9 partners.” EMS personnel MAY give emergency treatment to a police dog injured in the line of duty and transport it by ambulance to a veterinary facility equipped for emergency canine care — unless doing so would inhibit their ability to treat or transport a person. The health department sets the protocols in consultation with the state veterinary medical association.
What a responder may do:
What it does: Veterinarians only. A licensed veterinarian who voluntarily and gratuitously, outside their employment or practice, renders emergency veterinary assistance to an animal in need is not liable for civil damages amounting to ordinary negligence. The immunity does not extend to gross negligence.
Applies to:
What it does: “Practicing veterinary medicine” does not include (4) the gratuitous giving of aid or relief to an animal in any accident or emergency, provided the person does not represent himself or herself as a registered veterinarian; (7) a member of the armed forces, or an employee or official of the USDA, Public Health Service, other federal agency, or of the state, who while so commissioned or employed performs official duties; (9) a person performing accepted livestock management and animal husbandry practices.
Applies to:
What it does: Licensing requirement; exceptions. (4) a person or a regular employee from administering to the person’s own animals, provided the administration complies with all federal, state and local laws; (3) a veterinarian who is a member of the Armed Forces or an employee of the USDA, US Public Health Service, other federal agency, or the State of South Carolina or its political subdivisions, performing official duties.
Applies to:
What it does: Persons not considered engaged in practice of veterinary medicine: (1) those who administer to livestock, title of which rests in himself, or in his regular employer, or free service in any case; (7) employees of the State of South Dakota or the United States while in the performance of their duties. the owner limb reaches livestock only — a South Dakota dog owner is not covered by it.
Enacted by SB 2069, 114th General Assembly; effective April 16, 2026.
Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act (SB 2069, 2026)
Applies to: “canine first responder” means a dog: (1) with specialized training, or in the process of receiving specialized training, for police, military, or patrol work; detection work; or search-and-rescue; and (2) being used by and under the control of a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, railroad police officer commissioned pursuant to § 65-6-133, or a member of the United States armed forces or of a reserve or Tennessee national guard unit in the performance of the officer’s or member’s law enforcement or military duties.
What it does: Authorizes EMS to give emergency stabilizing care to an injured canine first responder and to transport it — by ground OR by air — to a veterinary facility when no human patient requires care, with good-faith immunity for the responder, and a carve-out from the veterinary practice act (§ 63-12-133(d)) so that treating or transporting the dog is not unlicensed veterinary practice.
Applies to:
What it does: Exemptions: (4) any person or the person’s regular employee, administering to the ills and injuries of the person’s own animals, including, but not limited to, castration of animals and dehorning of cattle, unless title has been transferred or employment provided for the purpose of circumventing this law; (7) any person gratuitously treating animals in cases of emergency, provided the person does not claim to be a veterinarian or use any title or degree appertaining to the practice thereof; (3) any veterinarian in the employ of a state agency or the United States government while actually engaged in the performance of the veterinarian’s official duties.
Applies to:
What it does: Application of chapter — this chapter does not apply to: (1) the treatment or care of an animal in any manner by the owner of the animal, an employee of the owner, or a designated caretaker of the animal, unless the ownership, employment, or designation is established with the intent to violate this chapter; (8) A person who, without expectation of compensation, provides emergency care in an emergency or disaster; (2) accepted livestock management practices.
Applies to:
What it does: Exemptions from chapter: (1) an individual who practices upon any animal owned by the individual, and the employee of that individual when the practice is upon an animal owned by the employee’s employer and incidental to employment — but this ; (9) an individual rendering emergency first aid to animals in those areas where a licensed veterinarian is not available, and if suspicious reportable diseases are reported immediately to the state veterinarian; (3) a veterinarian who is an officer or employee of the United States, the state, or its political subdivisions, and technicians under supervision.
Applies to:
What it does: A license to practice veterinary medicine shall not be required by: (1) the owner of an animal and the owner’s full-time regular employee caring for and treating the animal belonging to the owner, except where the ownership of the animal was transferred for purposes of circumventing the chapter; (3) an employee of the federal, State, or local government performing his or her official duties.
Applies to:
What it does: Exempts the owner of an animal and the owner’s full-time regular employee caring for and treating the animal belonging to the owner; and veterinarians employed by the United States or by the Commonwealth while actually engaged in official duties.
Applies to:
What it does: Licensing exemptions — nothing in this chapter applies to: (2) a person practicing veterinary medicine upon his or her own animal; (7) an owner being assisted in practice by his or her employees when employed in the conduct of the owner’s business; (8) an owner being assisted in practice by some other person gratuitously; (1) commissioned veterinarians in the US military services or veterinarians employed by Washington state and federal agencies while performing official duties; (3) castrating and dehorning cattle and similar practices. no emergency clause.
Applies to:
What it does: Exempt from licensing: (d) the owner of an animal, the owner’s employees, or persons assisting the owner without any fee or compensation, caring for and treating the animal; (i) a person treating or relieving a living animal in the case of an emergency for no fee or other compensation; (a) an employee of the federal government performing official duties; (c) accepted livestock management practices.
Applies to: “domestic animal” has the meaning given in § 895.484(1)(a): a dog, cat, or other animal that is domesticated and kept as a household pet, but does not include a farm animal.
What it does: An EMS practitioner or emergency medical responder who, while responding to a call, comes across a sick or injured domestic animal MAY render any first aid service that is within their own human scope of practice, before handing the animal to a veterinarian. The ambulance service and the responder are immune from civil AND criminal liability for how it turns out — and equally immune for declining to help. Care only; the section grants no transport authority.
Applies to:
What it does: License required; exceptions. (v) the owner of an animal, the owner’s employees, or any livestock operator and that operator’s employees with whom the owner exchanges work, from caring for and treating any animal belonging to the owner, in any manner desired by said owner; (x) persons gratuitously giving aid, assistance or relief in emergency or accident cases, if they do not represent themselves to be veterinarians; (xii) any person who, without expectation of compensation, provides emergency veterinary care at the site in an emergency or disaster situation; (i) an employed veterinarian of the federal, state or local government performing official duties.
Applies to:
What it does: The provisions of the chapter prohibiting the practice of a health occupation without a District of Columbia license shall not apply: (1) to an individual who administers treatment or provides advice in any case of emergency; (2) to an individual employed by the federal government, while he or she is acting in the official discharge of the duties of employment in the District.
