S. 878, H. 1273: An Act to Protect the Health and Safety of Animals in Cars
Sponsors: Rep. Ehrlich, Senator Montigny
Status: Sent to the Judiciary Committee
Written by: MSPCA (website)
In extreme weather, animals are put at risk when left in cars that become dangerously hot or cold. While such an act can escalate to a violation of the state’s cruelty law, there must be a way to help an animal before it subjected to suffering.
WHAT WILL THIS BILL DO?
1. Prohibit having an animal in a motor vehicle in a manner that could reasonably be expected to threaten the health of the animal due to exposure to extreme heat or cold.
2. Enable animal control officers, fire fighters and law enforcement to remove an animal after attempting to find the car’s owner, if they have probable cause to believe this section of the statute is being violated.
3. Issue a civil citation for a violation of this statute.
WHY ARE THESE PROTECTIONS NEEDED?
The inside of a car can heat up to 100° F in 10 minutes on an 80° F day – even with the windows slightly open. Animals may suffer and can die quickly when left in a hot car. A car will heat up rapidly and an animal is unable to cool himself or herself down. Pets can suffer needlessly and could die when left in a car even on a moderately hot day.
Many animal control officers have expressed concern that waiting to remove an animal from a vehicle until the animal is suffering enough to be a violation of the cruelty statute is inhumane, wrong and – can still be too late for the animal. Earlier intervention can save the animal and save the owner from being charged with animal cruelty, a felony in Massachusetts. This bill will also be helpful in educating the public about the dangers of leaving animals in cars in extreme weather. Citations will enable officers to promote animal safety and will hold offenders accountable for their actions.