Page 73 - Cinci 2018

www.GreaterCincinnatiPetPages.com 73 New Ohio Law

Ohio Law Allows First Responders to Save Animals’ Lives

Ohio Governor John Kasich has also provide basic first aid to injured
signed a bill permitting first respond- animals before transferring them to a
ers to treat an injured dog or cat at the veterinarian. “The bill simply allows
scene of an emergency. The bill, HB animals to receive critical care at the
187, was passed by unanimous votes earliest possible moment, which is in
in both the House and Senate and was the best interest of the animal. Most
signed into law on May 31, 2016. The importantly, this bill will protect ca-
law, which went into effect August 31, nine units and service animals which
2016, came about after Bob Swick- may be injured at the scene of a re-
ard, the director of an EMS service sponse,” said Rep. Ginter.
in a small town in northeastern Ohio, The following procedures are cov-
contacted state Republican Rep. Tim ered in the bill:
Ginter with concerns about a recent • Opening and manually maintain-
rash of on-duty injuries to police dogs. ing an airway
In seeking guidance from a veterinar- • Administering mouth-to-snout or
ian on first aid for dogs, Swickard said barrier ventilation
he found "a missed loophole" — it was • Administering oxygen
clearly illegal for EMTs to treat ani-
mals. He and Ginter were especially • Managing mask ventilation
•
Using direct pressure to control
concerned that paramedics couldn't
administer naloxone to police dogs hemorrhage
that came in contact with prescrip- • Immobilizing fractures
tion pain pills or heroin. "There is • Bandaging
the possibility that a dog could get a • Administering naloxone hydro-
snout full of something and go down," chloride (if authorized under
Ginter said. The best that they could specific protocols)
do before this law was to call either a HB 187 also grants immunity from
veterinarian to come to the scene or criminal prosecution, civil damages,
call for transport." Emergency per- and professional disciplinary action
sonnel standing by would not have to first responders and veterinarians
authority to save the canine officer’s acting in good faith in the absence of
life, meaning that not only would an deliberate misconduct.
innocent life be lost, but the taxpayer What the law doesn't do is require
dollars used to train and care for the first responders to treat animals, nor
dog would also be lost. does it now make it OK for people to
The new law clarifies that first call 911 when their pets get injured or
responders arriving at scenes of sick. People should still call emergen-
emergencies to treat humans can cy animal hospitals in these situations.