5-14 MUNICIPAL K-9 TRANSPORT

Purpose: This policy, along with reference guide titled, “OPERATIONAL K9 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FLIP CHARTS” is designed to give guidance in the evaluation, treatment, and transport criteria for municipal working dogs (police canine). The Wisconsin Legislature passed the following legislation into statute with regards to first aid treatment of domestic animals. It reads as follows:

256.155 First aid to domestic animals.

1. Definition. In this section, "domestic animal" has the meaning given in s. 895.484 (1) (a). (a) "Domestic animal" means a dog, cat, or other animal that is domesticated and kept as a household pet, but does not include a farm animal, as defined in s. 951.01 (3). "Farm animal" means any warm-blooded animal normally raised on farms in the United States and used or intended for use as food or fiber.
2. Rendering first aid allowed. An emergency medical services practitioner or emergency medical responder who, in the course of responding to a call for service, encounters a domestic animal that is sick or injured may render any first aid service to the domestic animal before the domestic animal is transferred to a veterinarian for further treatment fi the service is in the scope of practice of the license or certification of that emergency medical services practitioner or emergency medical responder when applied to human beings.
3. Immunity from liability.
   1. An ambulance service provider, emergency medical services practitioner, or emergency medical responder is immune from civil or criminal liability for any outcomes resulting from an emergency medical services practitioner or an emergency medical responder rendering first aid to a domestic animal in accordance with sub. (2).
   2. An ambulance service provider, emergency medical services practitioner, or emergency medical responder is immune from civil or criminal liability from declining to render first aid to a domestic animal.

In the event an Operational K9 is injured or needs medical attention, enlist assistance from the canine handler, K9 Flip Charts, and medical direction below. For Online Medical Control in the treatment and transport of the Operational K9, contact the veterinary specialist and/or EMS Medical Direction:

EMS Medical Direction:  Closest/Most Appropriate Emergency Department.

Level 1 Veterinary Trauma Facility:

BLUE PEARL PET HOSPITAL - APPLETON

920.993.9193

4706 New Horizon Blvd. Appleton, WI 54914

VECC Level 1 Facility

**Open 24/7, nights, weekends, and holidays***

Ambulance Transport: An Operational K-9 may be transported by Ashwaubenon Public Safety, County Rescue Services, De Pere Fire Department, or Green Bay Metro Fire Department ambulance to the Level 1 Appleton Animal Emergency Center under appropriate need.