Lawson bill protecting animal good Samaritans is OKd by the Indiana House

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana House members today approved legislation from State Representative Linda Lawson (D-Hammond) that would protect people who make an effort to rescue a pet trapped in a motor vehicle.

By an 80-14 margin, representatives passed House Bill 1085, a measure authored by State Representative Anthony Cook (R-Cicero) that would provide immunity for “good Samaritans” who rescue any pet that is at risk of death from overheating in a car. The measure provides that a person cannot be charged with property damage if he or she breaks into the vehicle to get the pet out of the car.

“This kind of needless pet death does happen more than people would care to admit,” Lawson told House members.

“There have been instances at a water park in Lake County where families have been compelled to leave the family dog in a car because the animal is not allowed in the park. People find themselves watching a pet suffer, yet they feel there is little they can do because of concerns over liability. With House Bill 1085, those worries are removed and rescue can take place.”

The legislation sets up specific circumstances that would compel someone to break into a vehicle, Lawson said.

“The person must have a good faith belief that the animal is in serious distress and in imminent danger of death,” she noted. “The car must be locked and forcible entry must take place in order to get into the vehicle. The person must have contacted local law enforcement and animal control officers about the situation. Once rescue has taken place, the good Samaritan must wait on the scene until rescue personnel arrive.”

House Bill 1085 is the latest effort in Lawson’s ongoing campaign to protect pets across Indiana. In the past, this has led her to work on legislation that regulates puppy mills and other operations that put animals at risk.

This legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.