DEPERE, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS)-- A new law in Wisconsin changes the way first responders can care for K9 officers on the job.
A recently change to a law in Wisconsin now allows K9’s to be treated in the back of an ambulance. This applies to police K9s who are out working and on duty.
There are a handful of dogs that patrol Brown County. It is a large fleet of K9s that help protect communities across the area. They have a dangerous job of helping execute search warrants, finding drugs, bombs, and other substances. Which is why their handlers say training is important.
Spectrum News got to sit in on a training to watch dogs across the county work and locate drugs and bombs hidden in a training simulation.
One of the dangers these boys in blue face is being hurt on the job just like their handlers.
But now, with the help of local fire departments, that fear of losing their partner in crime can be put a little more at ease.
"It's a really good feeling to know that if something happens to them that they are going to respond and give us that first line of help," DePere Police Department K9 Handler, Ben Giese said.
The DePere Fire Department along with the Ashwaubenon Fire Department decided to act on the new Wisconsin law that now allows a k9 to be in the back of an ambulance. Through fundraising, the departments were able to get six k9 kits to better care for these officers.
Inside the kit is a large amount of medical supplies and medications specific for dogs. It also comes with a booklet on how much medication a dog can have and what types of procedures can be done to save their lives.
"This is a minor surgical kit so that we can get glass out of the dog’s paws if they get cut with glass we can get it out of their paws," DePere Fire Department Batallion Chief Luke Pasterski said.
First responders also train how to care for animals and the different things they need versus a human. If a K9 were to be hurt on the job, medical staff would take the dog to a facility in the Fox Valley for treatment. The two fire departments would be responding to calls across the Brown County, and not just in their own coverage areas. This means that between the two departments there are 27 trained professionals who know how to care for these K9s.
"Ultimately, the time is what typically makes a difference in whether a dog makes it or not. In things like a critical incident where they are stabbed or shot," Giese said.
DePere Police Department K9 handler, Ben Giese says he is thankful to have a community that rallies around these dogs.
"It's awesome that the community comes out and supports us, most of our k9 programs in this area are community funded so it's awesome that the community comes out and supports us and helps us out with these kits for these dogs," Giese said.
So for a department whose motto is "We exist to serve our community" it's important to include all members, especially these K9s.
The DePere and Ashwaubenon Fire Departments have 27 staff members trained and will respond to any call across the entire county to help assist a K9 in need.
Firefighters say they were in their first weeks of training when Pyro, a Green Bay K9 was stabbed and they were able to utilize their skills to help save his life while on the job.
