New Law - Right to Rescue Act
Last updated 9/29/2016 at 12:11pm
Pets that are left unattended in cars in the heat, and are rescued by good Samaritans, will now be better protected, thanks to new legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last weekend.
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.
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.
