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Senate approves bill allowing EMS to treat injured law‑enforcement canines
Summary
The Tennessee Senate passed Senate Bill 2069 to allow EMS personnel to provide on‑scene care and transport for trained law‑enforcement and military canines under defined limits, shielding EMS from certain disciplinary actions so long as they do not practice veterinary medicine.
The Tennessee Senate on March 26 unanimously approved Senate Bill 2069, a measure authorizing emergency medical services personnel to deliver on‑scene care and medical transport to trained canine first responders while clarifying legal protections for EMS staff.
Senator Watson, sponsor of the bill, told colleagues that "Tennessee's working canines are public safety partners. They are not pets," and said the measure removes legal ambiguity that had prevented some EMS responders from giving emergency care to injured K‑9 officers. Chairman Gardenhire described amendment 1, adopted on the floor, as limiting care to emergency stabilization and protecting veterinary licensure authority.
Under the enacted amendment, EMS may provide emergency stabilization for specially trained or in‑training canines under the control of federal, state, local or military personnel; the bill does not apply to privately owned animals or authorize EMS to practice full veterinary medicine. Sponsors emphasized the change aligns Tennessee with similar laws in other states and preserves the authority of the state board of veterinary examiners.
Following floor debate and an adopted amendment clarifying scope and immunity, the body voted to pass the bill on third and final consideration. After passage, Senator Watson brought troopers and K‑9s to the well so members could see the policy's real‑world application and thank service animals and handlers.
The bill now proceeds according to the legislature's enactment process.
