Injured police dogs would get priority medical help if they're injured on the job. That's under a bill approved by the Senate and awaiting a floor vote in the House. The measure would put the canine officers at the front of the line if no one else at the scene needs medical attention or transport.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks officer deaths, 48 Florida K-9s have been killed in the line of duty. Sen. Tom Wright (R-Port Orange) is sponsoring a measure aimed at saving these dogs' lives when they're injured in the line of duty. In 2020, a canine working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives became trapped in a car when it caught on fire. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department saved the dog.
"That decision actually saved that canine's life," Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood says.