EMTs Suspended After Providing Medical Care to a Dog Who Was Injured Due to a Car Accident

EMT vehicle

The EMTs did ask for permission to take the injured dachshund to Shawnee Animal Clinic in Portsmouth. It was a 20 miles drive but worth it if they could save the dog.

Although they got permission from the Pike County Emergency Medical Service chief to take the dog to Portsmouth, they received a call several minutes later from a secretary saying there was no protocol in place. But, they were not given instructions to stop the transport.

When Farmer and Wessel returned to the station, they were suspended by EMS Director, Kevin Jenkins.
Still the compassionate EMTs never doubted their decision to help the dog.

At a Monday meeting, Pike County Commissioners met with the EMS director Kevin Jenkins, who had called for an investigation into the men’s actions.

“I want animals taken care of, but the EMS, their object is to take care of the people in the county and not animals,” said commissioner Fred Foster.

Following private discussions, Farmer and Wessel were reinstated to work and will not face additional disciplinary action. House Bill 187 was enacted last August which grants EMTs permission to care for dogs and cats after all humans are taken care of. However, Farmer and Wessel were not permitted to leave the county as they did.

As dog appreciators, we all want to protest such actions. These men were kind hearted, they did call into their station, and were not given clear instruction. So why the over-reaction of a suspension from their superiors?

If they had left their human injured in a perilous situation we could understand the reaction. After all, as fond as we are of dogs, our own species comes first. It's just the way it is.

But the EMTs were completely free to help the pup and, for us, their compassion shows they are in the right job and we would feel honored if they helped us during a serious emergency situation!

For more on this story go to The Dogington Post.



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