At last, Nero gets his day

Gov signs bill aiding service dogs

Four years after Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon was murdered and his K-9 partner Nero wounded, Gov. Charlie Baker, with the sergeant’s mother beside him, held an ceremonial signing of Nero’s Law Tuesday.

“We celebrate our solidarity — law enforcement, politicians, veterinarians, family, members of the community, friends — everybody who embraced Nero’s Bill to see it signed into law. We all looked, we entered the world of K-9, we held hands, and stuck together and created needed change,” Gannon’s mother, Denis Morence Gannon said.

“I call that a success story,” she said.

“Amen,” Baker chimed in. Nero’s Law, or an An Act Allowing Humane Transportation of K-9 Partners, was officially signed into law in February. It allows emergency medical personnel to treat and transport service animals injured in the line of duty.

The need for the law became especially apparent in 2018, when Nero was injured during the apprehension of Thomas Latanowich of Somerville at a home in Marstons Mills.

Police found Nero in the attic of the home where Latanowich killed Gannon, covered in blood.

The dog had been shot in the head, the bullet lodged in his shoulder. Officers, realizing Nero needed immediate medical care, turned to ambulance crews.

EMTs could do nothing, however, as the law at the time prohibited them from treating or transporting animals.

Police were, fortunately, able to get Nero to a veterinarian for medical care. He survived to be in Yarmouth on Tuesday for the emotional signing ceremony, joined by officers who worked with his deceased handler. Nero is now retired.

Latanowich, after an August sentencing, is currently housed in Walpole and serving a life sentence for the murder of Gannon and other crimes. Now 33 years old, Latanowich will be eligible for parole no sooner than 2056.

Before sitting for the ceremonial signing, Baker held up a card he said he’s carried for four years, the memorial card from Gannon’s funeral.

“I never wanted to forget what happened to him. Because it happens all the time to people in law enforcement. I wear Sgt. (Michael) Chesna’s bracelet for the same reason. Serving a warrant, answering a call, doing a stop, executing a search, these things change in the blink of an eye,” Baker said.

“And I never wanted to forget about the role that those dogs play in helping their partners prevent the absolute worst from happening,” he said.

MATT sTonE pHoTos / HErAld sTAFF ‘SUCCESS STORY’: Gov. Charlie Baker smiles at Denise Gannon, the mother of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, at the ceremonial signing of Nero’s Law, which allows first responders to transport injured service animals. Sgt. Gannon was killed and Nero, above left, was wounded by a gunman four years ago. Below left, Baker shows a card of Sgt. Gannon, which he carries with him as a reminder.