Emergency medical services: dogs and cats.

Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez's legislation authorizes licensed ambulance operators and tribal fire departments to transport injured police and search-and-rescue dogs to veterinary facilities when no human patients require attention. The measure permits emergency responders to provide basic first aid to these working dogs during transport while shielding them from liability when acting in good faith.

Ambulance operators choosing to transport police or search-and-rescue dogs must develop specific protocols for equipment and decontamination, subject to approval by local emergency medical services agencies. The bill exempts tribal fire department ambulances from this requirement. Handlers must accompany their dogs when feasible to maintain control during transport.

The legislation also addresses care for companion animals by allowing emergency responders to provide basic stabilizing care to injured dogs and cats without risk of prosecution for unauthorized veterinary practice. This care includes oxygen administration, mask ventilation, airway clearing, and hemorrhage control through direct pressure and bandaging. The provisions explicitly state that neither ambulance services nor emergency responders are required to assist animals, and emergency contracts cannot mandate such care.