State Rep. Mike Hoadley recently re-introduced a plan to care for police canines after they have dutifully served their communities.

House Bill 4012 provides for emergency medical transport and treatment for retired police canines. Currently, state law allows for ambulances to provide emergency transport to a veterinary clinic or similar facility for working police dogs that are injured in the line of duty. Hoadley’s bill would extend this service to retired police dogs who have long provided a service to their communities and fellow officers, if they require emergency treatment and there are no individuals who require emergency assistance at the time.

“Police canines help keep fellow officers safe through patrol and security tasks, and they are critical parts of first responder teams that protect our families and neighborhoods. They also help re-unite people through complex search and rescue operations,” said Hoadley, of Au Gres. “Former law enforcement dogs who have retired due to age or disease deserve recognition, gratitude and proper care after the vital services they have provided for us and our communities.”

Hoadley said a local police canine who was unable to receive prompt and crucial care during critical points provides the inspiration for the reforms. K9 Canjo worked for the Saginaw Police Department as a dual-purpose narcotics dog from Dec. 2011 until his retirement in Feb. 2019. Canjo had back surgery in June of 2021 for an injury related to his years of work and fell ill just a few weeks later due to complications from sepsis. Unfortunately, Canjo could not be seen immediately by local veterinarians and animal care experts and was eventually admitted to the intensive care unit at Michigan State University’s veterinary center in East Lansing. It was one of three separate times Canjo had to be transported in critical condition, including the day of his passing on Sept. 9, 2022 – which marked his End of Watch.

“Adequate, immediate emergency care would have netted a different result for Canjo,” Hoadley said. “No one would want to wait 18 hours for a police K9 to get on-scene in an emergency. But that’s how long Canjo had to wait for care – despite his handlers being willing to pay for it if it was allowed – due to how our laws are written.

“We should continue to stand with all law enforcement personnel who keep us safe, whether they have two legs or four.”

The plan, which received bipartisan support upon introduction, was referred to the House Government Operations Committee for consideration.