(1) As used in this section, the term “police canine” means any canine that is owned, or the service of which is employed, by a state or local law enforcement agency, a correctional agency, a fire department, a special fire district, or the State Fire Marshal for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, flammable materials, or missing persons; the enforcement of laws; the investigation of fires; or the apprehension of offenders.
(2) A licensee with a valid permit for the transport vehicle may transport a police canine injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic or similar facility if there is no individual requiring medical attention or transport at that time.
(3) Notwithstanding s. 474.213, a paramedic or an emergency medical technician may provide emergency medical care to a police canine injured in the line of duty while at the scene of the emergency or while the police canine is being transported to a veterinary clinic or similar facility. A paramedic or an emergency medical technician who acts in good faith to provide emergency medical care to an injured police canine is immune from criminal or civil liability.
Credits
Added by Laws 2021, c. 2021-119, § 1, eff. July 1, 2021.