08/07/2026
Ace survived for two reasons.
The first is his handlers training and swift action to slow or stop an Arterial bleed and quickly get him to medical professionals. The training from Dustoff K9 undoubtedly got Ace to the ER. The second was air transport to more advanced medical care. That was possible because, as Sheriff Judd points out, legislators passed a law and Governor DeSantis signed it. The law allows the dogs to be transported via ambulance and helicopter and trains those first responders how to treat the dogs in these emergencies.
Oil Capital K9 Fund and CLEETs Drug Dog Advisory Council successfully swayed the Executive Board to make heat alarms mandatory in all patrol vehicles January 1st of 2027. Oklahoma will be the 2nd state in the country making the equipment mandatory. The next task is having similar legislation passed that will give Oklahoma K9 teams the same access to resources that Sheriff Judd is crediting for saving Ace’s life.
It’s time for Oklahoma’s legislature to delivery similar legislation to the Governor.