Rauner signs bill allowing EMS personnel to take injured police dogs to veterinary clinics
 

[August 17, 2017]  SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 2661, which allows Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals to transport police dogs injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic, provided no people require medical attention or transport at that time.

“Police dogs are critical to helping our law enforcement officers do their jobs,” said Gov. Rauner, who signed the bill today at the Illinois State Fair. “They are valued members of Illinois’ law enforcement family, and we should make sure they are taken care of. This bill will help ensure injured police dogs get the care they need as quickly as possible.”

HB 2661 was passed by a bipartisan group of legislators and was supported by the Illinois State Police.

"Our canine officers are a vital part of our state, county and local police and sheriff departments,” said state Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills), the primary sponsor of HB 2661. “They are on the front line assisting their handlers to reduce drug traffic and other crimes. We need to get a police dog injured in the line of duty to the nearest veterinary clinic as quickly as possible for life-saving measures just as we would another member of the police department.”

[Office of the Governor Bruce Rauner]