A photo of K9 Nero as he recovered from his wounds in April 2018.Photo: Courtesy of Yarmouth Police Department
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) – The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted Friday to pass Nero’s Law.
The bill was inspired by the death of Yarmouth Police K9 Sgt. Sean Gannon in April of 2018 who was shot and killed in the line a duty while serving an arrest warrant. Gannon’s police dog Nero was also gravely injured during the altercation.
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“I was there the day that Sean was murdered, and I saw what that did to his wife and parents and all of us on the Cape.”
State Representative and former Yarmouth Deputy Police Chief Steven Xiarhos sponsored the house version of the bill (H.2547). He said the bill would save more than just a fellow officer.
“These dogs, they’re not just a piece of equipment,” he said, “they’re a living, breathing animal that loves their handler and they would give their life for them.”
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While Nero was taken to a local veterinary hospital and survived, he was unable to be treated on scene. Nero’s Law would ensure K9 officers receive critical and life-saving emergency treatment when severely injured on the job.
Nero’s Law will be passed in final form by the Legislature and sent to Governor Charlie Baker for approval soon.
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