Nero’s Law
is a new legislation adopted in Massachusetts which authorises medical
personnel to treat and transport police canines. Signed into law by Governor
Charlie Baker, Nero’s Law is “an Act allowing human transportation of K9 partners.”
Nero’s Law allows doctors and other medical service personnel to provide emergency
transport and treatment of K9 partners, including basic first aid, CPR and
using life-saving interventions such as naloxone.

Nero’s Law
was named thus after Yarmouth Police Sergeant Sean Gannon was shot and killed in
April 2018. Gannon’s canine partner, Nero, was also shot. The dog was rushed to
an animal hospital in a police cruiser. “I will never forget the sight of K9
Nero covered in blood and fighting for his life after the being rescued,” said
Steven Xiarhos, the deputy police chief at the time. Nero currently lives with
Gannon’s wife Tara.

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Nero’s Law
bans EMS personnel from moving an injured police dog “if providing such
transport would inhibit their ability to provide emergency medical attention or
transport to a person requiring such services.” The bill became law earlier
this year and received the governor’s official assent in February. Now, in
July, the governor gave his ceremonial consent.

Nero and Sergeant
Sean Gannon were shot by Thomas Latanowich, a person the police called “a career
criminal”. A jury found Latanowich guilty of second-degree murder. Sean Gannon,
32, was killed in April 2018 while serving an arrest warrant at a Barnstable
home for a possible probation violation. Nero, Gannon’s dog, was shot but
survived.

The ceremonial
adoption of Nero’s Law comes after police dog Frankie was shot and killed on
Tuesday during a standoff with a wanted fugitive. “It is with tremendous sadness
that I announce that a Massachusetts State Police K9 was killed in the line of
duty today. K9 Frankie was fatally shot during an attempt to apprehend a wanted
fugitive who had barricaded himself inside a residence” said MSP Colonel
Christopher Mason in statement.