A new bill being considered by California lawmakers would make it OK for bystanders to smash car windows to rescue overheated dogs left behind in hot vehicles.
The Right to Rescue Act, AB 797, would essentially allow a bystander, acting in good faith, to break into a locked car if they felt the trapped dog was in danger of overheating.
California law already allows a law enforcement or humane officer to take all necessary steps to protect overheated animals, but the new law would extend the right to private citizens as dog owner Randall Whittinghill told ABC News.
"I'd rather have the ability to do it rather than not do it. It's more important to help the dog than it is to worry about people's feelings."
California State Legislators Marc Steinorth of Rancho Cucamonga, Ling Ling Chang of Diamond Bar and Kristin Olsen from Riverbank drafted the legislation to protect overheated dogs.
The three California lawmakers filmed themselves sitting inside a vehicle for 21 minutes on an 89-degree day during a hot car challenge to demonstrate the danger heat poses to trapped animals.
"Sometimes cars get up to 120 or 125 degrees in the Central Valley. Please don't leave your dogs, your four legged family friends inside a hot car this summer."
