On April 12, 2018, Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon was shot and killed in the line of duty while attempting to apprehend a violent career criminal. Sgt. Gannon’s police dog, K9 Nero, also was shot in the face and seriously injured.
Unfortunately, due to existing provisions of Massachusetts Law, Nero was not allowed to be treated for his serious injuries by emergency medical personnel working at the scene. Instead, officers were forced to drive Nero to the nearest veterinary hospital in the back of a police cruiser as they fought to keep him alive.
Steve Xiarhos was Deputy Chief of Police in Yarmouth in 2018, and he was at the scene the day Sgt. Gannon and Nero were shot. Now serving the 5th Barnstable District as its State Representative, Steve Xiarhos is the lead sponsor of House Bill 2547, An Act Providing for the Care and Transportation of Police Dogs Injured in the Line of Duty.
This bill would change Massachusetts law to allow emergency medical workers to treat service animals injured in the line of duty. In honor of Nero, this bill has been given the name “Nero’s Bill.”
We need your help to get Nero’s Bill passed into law! Please show your support by signing the petition HERE.