This bill amends existing Iowa law to allow certified emergency medical care providers to diagnose and treat severe injuries sustained by police service dogs while on duty. Specifically, it adds a new subsection to Section 147A.8, permitting these providers to offer veterinary medical services in cases where a police service dog, under the supervision of a peace officer, suffers a severe injury. The bill also introduces a new subsection to Section 169.4, outlining the conditions under which emergency medical care providers may provide such services, including the necessity of immediate stabilization of the dog's condition for further treatment by a licensed veterinarian.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that emergency medical care providers are not obligated to treat police service dogs before addressing any injured humans at the scene and protects them from civil liability when acting reasonably and in good faith while providing care to the injured dogs. This legislative change aims to enhance the emergency response capabilities for police service dogs, ensuring they receive timely medical attention in critical situations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 147A.8, 169.4