On March 8, 2016, Florida passed the law that allows its residents to break into cars to save animals, Bored Panda says. It is the second state in the US to make such actions legal. Tennessee was the first one.
The House Bill 131, which was signed by Gov. Rick Scott, saves a person from legal responsibilities for property damage that may occur when he or she tries to rescue a child, an elderly adult, and an animal from being trapped in a locked vehicle.
This means that the law applies not just to animals. Children and adults who are mentally and physically incapacitated can also be freed by someone from being locked in a vehicle through any possible means without the person being held liable for any damage.
Image source: PETA Prime
This legalization, though, comes with some strict guidelines. Firstly, a person should make sure that there is no other way to open the locked car and it is impossible for the animal or human to get out of it on its/his/her way.
Before breaking the car or immediately after getting inside the car, a person should call the police or contact 911. A reasonable force must be used to obtain entry to the vehicle.
The person who rescued a locked human or animal from the vehicle should stay with it/him/her until the law enforcement officers arrive on the scene. As long as the rescuer meets the guidelines, he will be granted civil immunity.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, hundreds of dogs die every year from being left by their owners inside their cars under extreme heat. A dog who is left inside a closed car that is parked under the sun can quickly die from dehydration and suffocation as the temperature inside the car can rise to 50C within twenty minutes.
Therefore, dog owners are discouraged from leaving their dogs inside the vehicle alone especially during summer.
Source: Holidog Times