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Janet Deforge
masslive.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – On Warner’s last day on the job, he helped arrest an armed suspect who had just shot at police and barricaded himself in a home. He retired two hours later. It wasn’t as easy-going as anyone expected.
Two weeks later, the police dog, who had been with the department for eight years, became ill with a large tumor on his hip. Eric Blair, Warner’s K9 officer, said this led to multiple visits to the veterinarian, but the dog’s mass continued to grow, causing injuries to the dog and requiring a series of surgeries. That’s what it means.
“We were depleting our savings,” Prime Minister Blair said. The treatment costs more than 100,000 yen.
Blair and his wife, Carmela, have started a GoFundMe account to help pay their bills. Charities focused on animal welfare have also stepped in to help.
“He’s a great dog. He’s the family dog now,” Carmela Blair said.
On Thursday, state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D-Springfield), chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, and state Rep. Steven Siajos (R-Barnstable), the chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, announced that the Springfield Police Department and Domenic J. Working with Mayor Sarno, lawmakers are drafting a bill that would ensure that police dogs’ medical expenses are covered after they retire.
“Dakota’s Bill” is named after the K9 who responded to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder so severe that euthanasia was recommended. Sialhos said animal rehabilitation specialists were involved in the care of the dog, which is currently featured in a film promoting the law.
Police pay veterinary fees for working K9s. But once they retire, it’s a “mixed mix”, with some departments continuing to pay for their care and voluntary organizations stepping up to provide some of the costs, Searhos said. said.
There are several charities set up to help animals. The fund, established by the Dakota bill, would combine donations and state funds to give retired K9 owners, who are typically police officers working with dogs, one place to seek financial assistance. he stated.
Sialhos is also the author of “Nero’s Law,” which allows working dogs seriously injured on the job to be treated by paramedics and transported by ambulance. He was serving as Yarmouth Police Chief in 2018 when one of his K9 officers, Sergeant Sean Gannon, was killed while trying to arrest a career criminal. His dog, for whom the bill is named, was shot but survived.
seek public support
Gonzalez said he expects work on the bill to be completed by the end of this month. Once submitted, it will be referred to the Ways and Means Committee for further discussion.
The state Legislature processes 7,000 bills a year, many of which never make it to the floor. Gonzalez encouraged people to call their state representatives and senators to show their support for the bill.
“Retired police dogs deserve to retire peacefully, just like the women and men who serve our communities. “We would like to help with the costs,” he said. “We should show compassion, respect their loyalty and dedication to keeping our communities safe, and prepare for their retirement.”
Springfield has 10 officers working with K9s. Superintendent Cheryl C. Claprude said these facilities provide valuable services to the city, including locating missing persons, tracking drugs and apprehending criminals.
Sarno added his support, saying, “The Blairs should not be burdened with paying for Mr. Warner’s medical bills.”
The dog was named after a student won an essay contest in a fifth-grade class at Warner School. Prime Minister Blair added: “Mr. Because he joked that it sounded more distinct that way.
Blair continues to work as a K9 officer with her other dog. Warner, now 11, is healthy but has a number of issues, including arthritis that requires multiple medications to keep him pain-free and able to continue his favorite walks.
“It’s because of the years of abuse to his body. He had over 500 insecurities. He worked hard,” Blair said. “These dogs do a lot, but ask for very little. He just wants a bone and a toy.”
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