The Washington Department of Health (department) filed a Notice of Adoption of a Policy Statement, as WSR 22-13-188 on June 22, 2022. The Emergency Care for K-9 Officers Policy will become effective on July 01, 2022.
Under the circumstances explained in this policy, the Veterinary Board of Governors (board) does not consider limited lifesaving care provided to K-9 officers at the scene of an emergency by law enforcement officers, law enforcement agency employees (hereinafter referred to as “law enforcement”), and by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel to be unlicensed veterinary practice.
K-9 officers are animals, usually dogs, with specific training to assist law enforcement officers. K-9 officers may be seriously injured in the line of duty, and in need of immediate, life-preserving care while on the way to a licensed veterinarian for treatment.
When a K-9 officer, is injured in the line of duty, law enforcement agency officers and their employees may provide limited lifesaving emergency medical care and transport to a K-9 officer. In an emergency EMS personnel certified under chapters 18.71 or 18.73 RCW may provide limited life-saving emergency care to injured K-9 officers at the direction of law enforcement.
RCW 18.130.050 allows the board to set standards of practice for veterinary medicine. The board believes limited lifesaving care that would be provided in an emergency may be safely provided by law enforcement and EMS personnel trained to provide such care to humans.
For the purposes of this policy “limited lifesaving care” means care sufficient to stabilize the animal while being transported to veterinary care. This includes, but is not limited to, first aid, providing fluids, oxygen, splints, or other care within the scope of practice of the EMS provider.
The Veterinary Practice Act exempts owners of animals practicing on their own animals, and employees of owners of animals who are acting in the course of their employment from licensing requirements. RCW 16.52.011 defines an owner of an animal as a person who has a right, claim, title, legal share, or right of possession to an animal or a person having lawful control, custody, or possession of an animal. For the purposes of this policy, the employing entity and its employees are considered the “owner” of a K-9 officer, because they have lawful control, custody, or possession of an animal.
Therefore, law enforcement and EMS personnel may provide care to a K-9 officer under the exemption for an owner in RCW 18.92.060 or for an employee assisting their employer in RCW 18.92.060. Further, at the scene of an emergency, EMS personnel who may not be employed by the same entity may provide limited lifesaving care to an animal, if directed to do so by law enforcement on the scene.
Read the K-9 policy here.
Please contact Loralei Walker with questions.
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