The Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services has ruled that a Sedgwick County paramedic will not face punishment for using EMS equipment in an attempt to save a fallen sheriff’s K-9.

The matter arose from the November 2023 death of K-9 Bane, a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office police dog that was fatally injured during the search for a robbery suspect in Wichita. After deputies recovered Bane from a storm drain, paramedic Bryan Shastid attempted emergency treatment at the scene, including airway intervention and medication, using equipment from an ambulance.

The Kansas Board of EMS received a citizen complaint about the incident and assigned staff to investigate. The investigators concluded that Shastid rendered advanced emergency care to an animal while acting as an EMS provider and diverted ambulance service property for that purpose, both violations of state protocols. Quoting from the hearing agenda:

• Case 2023-106-01 – In the Matter of Bryan Shastid, Paramedic
• Respondent is alleged to have rendered advanced emergency care to an animal as an EMS provider. Evidence supports the allegation and indicates Respondent diverted property from the ambulance service to render the advanced emergency care provided. Staff recommends the Board find a violation for diversion of property be found and to levy a civil fine in the amount of $150.

At a public hearing, Shastid explained that he first confirmed there was no human patient requiring care and then used the available equipment in an attempt to save the dog. KSN.com quoted him as saying:

• At that point I did in the moment what I thought was the ethical and correct thing to do for a Sedgwick County asset, as well as officers that I’d worked with on a close basis and had developed a good relationship with.

The board ultimately voted unanimously to dismiss the case and withdrew the proposed fine. Local reporting indicated that several board members acknowledged the unusual circumstances surrounding the incident and concluded discipline was not warranted despite the concerns raised in the complaint.  KSN.com quoted a member of the EMS Board, Dr. Gregory Faimon, as saying:

• I don’t think there was a choice here, and it sounds like this did not put anybody in jeopardy.
• I think it was, in my opinion, the right thing to do.

More on the story from KSN.com and KAKE News.