Bystanders Could Rescue Pets Trapped In Hot Cars Under California Bill

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Many dog owners like to take their companions everywhere, but that bond can lead to dangerous situations. A new bill would allow you to smash a window to free the dog without any repercussions.

"I wouldn't leave my baby in a car and I wouldn't leave my dog in a car," said Chamia Massingale while at a Sacramento dog park.

"The seats were really hot and it was really hot in the car. As soon as he got in the car he started breathing really hard," she said and outside it was only 75 degrees.

Regardless of the temperature outside, inside it could be deadly.

"You've got to be very very careful, you have to be paranoid about it. The risk reward is too lopsided. It's too much risk," said  Foothill farms Veterinarian Dustin Noack. "A few moments at the wrong temperature you're talking respiratory collapse. You're talking about severe hydration, overheating."

Proponents for Assembly bill 797, locked themselves in a car to feel the effects and say it heated up to 100 degrees in 10 minutes.

This bill would essentially allow a bystander, in good faith, to break into a car if they deem it unsafe or deadly conditions for the dog.

But there would be provisions in place to protect the owner.

"They have to check that all the doors are locked and they have to contact law enforcement prior to breaking in and rescuing an animal," said Ling Chang, Assembly Member District 55.

In 2014, in Sacramento county, three dogs were killed in a hot car with windows only cracked about an inch. A fourth dog survived, but barely made it.

It happens all the time, hundreds of dogs die each year.

According to PETA, a parked car on a 78 degree day can heat up to 100 and 120. Then on a 90 degree day on black top, it can soar to 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes.

This bill would prohibit any civil liability against the person who damaged the car to save an animal.

"You feed your kid you feed your dog to take care of your dog just like you take care of yourself, so I don't think you should just leave it unattended in a vehicle" said Catina Ogunmokun, of Sacramento.

The bill is currently under senate judiciary committee for consideration.

While there are already several protections for children, the bill also includes minors, so if it becomes the law, you could break into a car to save them too from a hot car.