On Sunday, July 31, Rhode Island State Representative David Bennett (Warwick/Cranston), House sponsor of H. 7021, “Nero’s Law,” was recognized by the Providence County Kennel Club (PCKC) at their Wide World of Indoor Sports Dog Show.  He enjoyed meeting exhibitors and taking photos with many different breeds before awarding Best in Show. 

The Representative filed Nero’s Law as a memorial to Massachusetts Sgt. Sean Gannon, who lost his life while serving an arrest warrant in 2018.  During the incident, his police K-9 Nero suffered career-ending injuries.  Emergency medical personnel were not authorized to use an ambulance to transport and treat Nero that fatal day.  Bennett’s bill authorizes the emergency care and transport of police K-9s injured while on duty. A similar bill was adopted in Massachusetts in February 2022.  Representative Bennett’s bill was signed by Governor McKee June 29, making it Rhode Island law too.

Police K-9s are specially trained and certified to serve multiple purposes, from search-and-rescue to explosive detection. If injured, K-9s deserve emergency transport and treatment.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) honors the contribution these working dogs and their handlers make, and the important role they play in keeping our communities safe. AKC and its affiliated clubs are committed to supporting legislation that values these working dogs.