AK HB70

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and mobile intensive care paramedics may provide emergency medical services to operational canines (law enforcement dogs and search and rescue dogs) when a veterinarian is unavailable and the animal faces immediate danger of serious harm or death

EMTs and paramedics must obtain informed consent from the canine's owner, be employed by the government agency that owns the canine, or follow a veterinarian-approved written protocol before providing treatment

Human patients take priority over operational canines—EMTs and paramedics cannot treat a canine if a person requires their emergency medical services

Civil liability protection extends to EMTs, paramedics, and their employing agencies when treating operational canines in good faith, and veterinarians receiving transferred canines are shielded from liability for the responder's prior actions

Effective date: January 1, 2026