New Calif. Law Protects Good Samaritans Who Rescue Pets Left in Hot Cars

SACRAMENTO, CA — Good Samaritans and pets left unattended in cars will now be better protected, thanks to new legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last weekend. The law allows Californians to rescue pets left in cars if an animal seems to be in distress from the heat or lack of ventilation, including by breaking the vehicle's window, without fear of prosecution or civil liability.

Assemblymembers Marc Steinorth, a Republican from Rancho Cucamonga, and Miguel Santiago, a Democrat from Los Angeles, introduced the “Right to Rescue” act earlier this year.

“We're very excited about the lives this new law will save,” Steinorth wrote on his Facebook page. “Thank you to everyone who helped us raise awareness of this serious issue and showed their support. You will forever be family in my book.”

The law, which protects the rescuer from civil and criminal liability due to damage made to a vehicle during an exigent rescue, says the car must be locked and the witness must call law enforcement or fire officials before rescuing the animal. The rescuer must not use more force than necessary to free the distressed animal and must stay with the pet until emergency personnel arrives.

“The Right to Rescue Act will save lives,” said Steinorth. “We all know how hot our cars get sitting in the heat, but so many people don’t recognize that leaving your dog in the car for even a few minutes in these conditions can be fatal. More than anything, we hope that AB 797 will raise awareness of this danger so pet owners remember to leave their dogs at home.”

Other states, including Tenessee, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida and Vermont, have similar laws in place.

In July, police officials in Pleasanton issued a citation to a woman who allegedly left her dogs locked inside her car while she shopped at the Stoneridge Shopping Center. Although the car was parked under the shaded parking garage, police officials say the temperature inside the vehicle was between 96 and 100 degrees.

Related:

• Pet Owner Issued Citation After Leaving Dogs in Hot Car at Stoneridge Shopping Center: Police

Police officials strongly urge pet owners to leave animals at home whenever possible to avoid putting them in a dangerous and illegal situation. California pet owners can be cited for a penal code violation for leaving their animals in their cars.

“Most owners are remorseful once I show them the videos I have taken of their dogs panting in their cars, attempting to take cover in the shade,” Pleasanton Police Animal Control Officer Frankie Blavet said in a previous Patch article. “I also take our thermal temperature reader and show them exactly how hot it is inside their vehicle.”

Blavet said so far this year, two dogs in Pleasanton have had to be treated for heatstroke after being left in a hot car for far too long, and seven have been rescued. Dublin police officials say they have also responded to multiple reports of dogs left in hot cars.

Experts urge residents to call the police whenever they see a pet in a car, compromised or not, so police can check to make sure they are not in distress. Signs of heatstroke in dogs, according to MSNBC.com, include excessive panting or drooling, very fast breathing, a dark or bright red tongue or gums, staggering or bloody diarrhea or vomiting.

Photo courtesy Morguefile