'Nero's Law' prepares for final passage in Massachusetts - WJAR

A bill that would authorize first responders to treat an injured police dog at the scene where the animal was hurt is getting closer to becoming a law in Massachusetts.

Sen. Mark Montigny, a Democrat, filed the legislation in 2019 following the death of Yarmouth K-9 Officer Sgt. Sean Gannon.

Gannon’s parents, Denise and Patrick, said they are thrilled it will be heading to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk for his signature, as the Senate passed the bill in November, and the House engrossed it this week.

“I am floating on air,” Denise told NBC 10 News during a phone interview Friday.

“I know Sean would approve of this law,” she added.

Gannon was fatally shot April 12, 2018, while he and a team of other officers were serving an arrest warrant.

His police dog, K-9 Nero, was shot in the head, but survived.

Yet, due to the current law, first responders were unable to treat K-9 Nero at the scene.

While Montigny said there were multiple empty ambulances on site, Nero was taken to an animal hospital in the back of a police cruiser.

“Can you imagine the feeling of everyone at the scene, particularly when the dog is connected to the victim, who tragically died?” Montigny said, adding that the inability to transport the dog in a rescue “shows callousness in our laws towards working dogs who risk their lives every day to serve our Commonwealth.”

The legislation, dubbed “Nero’s Law,” would amend an existing bill and make it possible for police dogs to receive emergency treatment, including first aid, CPR, and administering life-saving interventions, such as naloxone.

It would also allow EMTs to take K-9s in need of immediate care to a veterinary clinic or hospital in an ambulance, “provided there are no persons requiring emergency medical treatment or transport at that time.”

The ambulance would be deep cleaned after a transport.

“It won’t be employed every day or every week – thank God,” Montigny said. “But there is no question in my mind that sooner or later this will save the life of a K-9.”

Montigny said the legislation is near and dear to his heart.

He is from New Bedford, where Gannon grew up

“The tragedy inspired all of us but the fact that Sean was born in New Bedford is what got me involved years ago, just weeks after his death,” Montigny said.

“But what really kept me focused was not only all of the police K-9 folks who love their dogs as partners, but really Sean’s family," he added.

Rep. Steven Xiarhos, who represents Barnstable and served as a member of the Yarmouth Police Department for 40 years, shared similar sentiments.

He said he has been in regular contact with Gannon’s loved ones since Gannon's death.

“We talk all the time,” Xiarhos said.

Xiarhos was the deputy police chief and at the scene when Gannon was killed -- and as K-9 Nero was fighting to stay alive.

He said he retired from the force and decided to run as a state rep, with a goal to help push the bill to fruition.

“It’s bittersweet because it brings up that horrible day, but to have good news is great,” Xiarhos said.

Xiarhos and Montigny said the Gannon family has been “a tremendous force” in making sure the bill made progress.

They said they hopes it helps them heal, as well as honors Gannon’s legacy.

Denise said it was a long road but well worth the effort.

“My husband and I testified to a committee with a packed house of K-9s and law enforcement officers about why this should happen,” she said.

“This was an old law that existed, that nobody had really looked at before Sean died and because of Nero’s injuries and near-death experience, not one person knew anything about it until one of the officers put him in his car and saved his life.”

But while legislation was filed, it got lost amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Still, Montigny and Xiarhos didn’t give up -- and neither did Denise and Patrick.

The couple took to social media and urged the public to support the bill by asking them to contact their state representative and tell them they favor the legislation.

“I got a lot of people to write in,” Denise said.

Plus, she said she personally kept in touch with politicians.

“I would say, ‘Don’t forget about us,’” Denise said. “This is personal. But this is not just because of my son -- it’s for all K-9 officers, and it’s for the public. This is public safety.”

She also referenced the death of K-9 Kitt, of the Braintree Police Department, who was shot and killed while protecting his handler in 2021.

“We said, ‘Here’s the perfect example of why this should pass,'” Denise said.

The bill will soon head to Baker’s desk for his consideration.

Denise said she has no doubt the governor will sign it, as he keeps her son’s prayer card in his pocket.

“He has it as a reminder to be thankful to God for his own family and to be grateful,” she said. “A staffer confirmed it. He pulled it out of his pocket one day and held it up. He’s certainly a great governor, but he’s a fine human being.”

Denise said the support from elected officials, as well as the public, has been overwhelming.

Patrick agreed. He also said the bill will not only help protect police dogs, but save taxpayer dollars, as the training and upkeep of the animals isn’t free.

“This is a cost savings intervention because if a K-9 like Nero is seriously injured and they cannot return to work as a K-9, all the investment of the animal, from the training to the equipment and supplies, are lost,” Patrick said.

“But if a wounded animal can return to function as a continued K-9, that’s a cost savings measure for that department and all the support that goes into a K-9 to keep them up and running and healthy," Patrick added. "I think the bill has many advantages beyond the most obvious of getting expedient care to a wounded K-9 in the line of duty, but by also to protect the public by keeping these K-9s working.”

So, how’s K-9 Nero doing these days?

K-9 Nero lives in Cape Cod with Gannon’s wife, Dara, and K-9 Thor, a retired police K-9.

“Nero is great,” Denise said. “He still has the bullet in his shoulder, but he’s recovered. He’s very playful. He’s calmed down quite a bit.”

Denise said Dara is also doing well and pursuing a master’s degree.

“She’s come alive again,” she said. “Sean would be proud of her. I’m sure he’s helping her along the way. We are a very strong family, we are a very united family, and we all take care of each other. Her parents, Dean and Kathleen Bryan, have been marvelous. They were with us throughout the trial. They have been a huge support system, as been her brother, Ross, just helping to take care of her.”

Gannon was 32 years old when he was killed. He had been on the force for eight years and was posthumously promoted to sergeant.

“The ultimate loss is, of course, burying a child,” Denise said. “Nobody ever wants to go through this. But it has really given us extreme satisfaction that this bill will be signed into law. In seven to 10 days, this bill will become law, and we know that Sean would support the bill.”

source: https://turnto10.com/news/local/neros-law-prepares-for-final-passage-in-massachusetts

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