Bill Passed To Let People Break Into Hot Cars And Free Pets
BOSTON (CBS/AP) — State lawmakers have sent to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker's desk a bill that seeks to prevent animals from suffering or even dying when left in cars during the sweltering heat.
In addition to barring owners from leaving a pet locked in a car in extreme weather conditions, the measure would allow a passer-by to break a car window and free the animal if it appeared to be in imminent danger.
Before taking such action, a person would have to first make reasonable efforts to find the animal's owner and make a call to police.
In a poll on the CBS Boston Facebook page, an overwhelming majority said the proposal should become law.
"It should be legal for anyone to save a helpless animal," one person commented.
Baker, a dog owner, is reviewing the bill. He noted Thursday that the state has laws regarding children left in hot cars and that it would make sense to extend those protections to pets as well.
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