California: Residents Can Break Into Cars To Save Pets

California has enacted a new good Samaritan law that would permit state residents to break into a vehicle to rescue a visibly distressed animal without facing legal repercussions.

On Sept. 24, Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown of California signed AB 797, also known as the Right to Rescue Act. The new law will provide legal protection for good Samaritans who break into a vehicle to rescue a pet from dangerous temperatures, The Huffington Post reports.

The legislation stipulates that a California resident would have to contact law enforcement before taking any action, determine that the animal is in danger and only cause as much damage that is necessary to rescue the animal. They must also remain with the vehicle until authorities arrive.

“Every year, hundreds of animals suffer, and many die, in Los Angeles County from being left in hot vehicles,” said Dan Felizzatto, the Los Angeles County deputy district attorney. “By the time a citizen spots an animal trapped in a hot vehicle the situation is often dire, and requires immediate action.”

California already has a law on the books making it illegal for pet owners to leave their animal alone in a vehicle with high heat or lack of ventilation.

Felizzatto told The Sacramento Bee that rescuing endangered pets is a low priority for California law enforcement, and often entire crowds can be gathered around a vehicle panicking “not knowing what they can do… they’ve watched the animal die.”

Sharie Lesniak, an animal rights activist who has supported AB 797, added that often there is not enough time for law enforcement to arrive on the scene.

“A dog can go into organ failure and brain damage within 15 minutes,” Lesniak said, explaining the importance of good Samaritans being allowed to take action. “So it is something to know you can do something if they don’t get there in time.”

Vehicles can become much hotter than their surroundings if they are left unattended for a duration of time. For instance, in 70 degree weather, a car can become as hot as 104 degrees after 30 minutes.

Sacramento Animal Control manager Gina Knepp noted that many pet owners can endanger their pets by not understanding how fast conditions in their vehicle can become.

“Most people don’t do it out of maliciousness,” Knepp said. “They do it out of ignorance. They say they’re only leaving them for a minute, then they get distracted and it’s 30 minutes and you come back and your dog is dead.”

AB 797 was introduced by Republican Assemblyman Marc Steinorth and Democratic Assemblyman Miguel Santiago of California. After Gov. Brown signed the bill into law, Steinorth issued a statement celebrating his legislative victory, the Los Angeles Times reports.

“We’re very excited about the lives this new law will save,” Steinorth said. “Thank you to everyone who helped us raise awareness of this serious issue and showed their support.”

California joins a small pool of states that provide legal protections to good Samaritans who break into vehicles to retrieve an endangered animal. Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin already have similar laws on the books.

Sources: The Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Sacramento Bee / Photo Credit: John M/Flickr