Rep. Lambeth files bill in North Carolina House to allow emergency care for police K-9s

A new bill filed by State Rep. Donny Lambeth in the North Carolina House seeks to authorize emergency medical services personnel to provide care to injured K-9 police and search and rescue dogs during emergencies, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 512 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Emer. Care/Animals/Vet. Practice.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill provides an exemption allowing emergency medical services personnel to offer emergency care to injured K-9 police animals and search and rescue dogs without a veterinary license. It specifies that such personnel, except those solely credentialed as emergency medical dispatchers, can perform medical transport and services under emergency situations for these animals. The bill also grants limited immunity from prosecution for providing such care, provided the services were delivered in good faith. However, this immunity does not cover actions that constitute gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing. This act becomes effective 30 days after it becomes law and is applicable from that date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Lambeth proposed the most bills (34) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Lambeth graduated from High Point University in 1972 with a BA.

Lambeth, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2013 to represent the state’s 75th House district, replacing previous state representative Bill McGee.