Committee hears emotional testimony for 'Kanjo's Law' to allow emergency transport for retired police K‑9s

The House Committee on Government Operations heard testimony supporting House Bill 4012, often called "Kanjo's Law," which would expand current emergency-transport allowances to include retired law enforcement K‑9s so handlers or caretakers may accompany a retired animal during emergency medical transport.

Representative Mike Hoadley, sponsor of House Bill 4012, told the committee the bill "addresses this shortcoming by simply expanding service to official retired K‑9s. To be clear, this bill would not mandate ambulance service nor does it change the precedent of human life over that of the canine unit." Witnesses described several incidents they said illustrate the need for the change, including extended travel to specialty veterinary care and medical complications after surgery.

Retired Saginaw police officer Brad Hogue testified with his former K‑9, Segan, explaining the dogs' daily duties and training regimen and the physical wear those duties cause. Hogue said the dogs routinely jump in and out of patrol vehicles and train every other Wednesday to meet Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards requirements. Describing emergency care logistics, Hogue said, "You can't drive and take care of a dog at the same time," and said being able to ride in an ambulance would let a handler administer life‑saving first aid en route.

Doug Stacer, Kanjo's former handler, recounted Kanjo's retirement, later health decline and episodes that led to emergency trips and surgery. Jody Welk of K9 Hero Guardians described Kanjo's 2021 back surgery, subsequent development of sepsis and additional emergency treatment needs; she said being present in transport could have allowed quicker or different interventions and greater comfort for the animal. Welk emphasized that the bill would not require medics to provide veterinary care or ask taxpayers to cover those costs; instead, handlers or organizations such as hers would cover care and education efforts for emergency responders.

Committee members asked operational questions, including how ambulance services would be notified or recognize retired K‑9s and who would cover costs. Witnesses said most medics already know current law for active K‑9s and that advocates would "send literature out" and do outreach to EMS providers to explain the retired‑K‑9 provision. No committee vote on the bill was recorded in the hearing; the chief action in the transcript was taking testimony and reading support cards from Deborah Murphy (Saginaw), Anne Griffin (Michigan Humane) and Mike Caparoni (Humane World for Animals).

Supporters framed the bill as a targeted fix to address emergencies for animals that have served in law enforcement, while witnesses also described the broader community role K‑9s play in public relations and youth outreach. The hearing record does not show committee action beyond receiving testimony and reading submitted support cards.