Indiana’s House Bill 1165 went into effect  July 1st, 2026. Citizens will not be held civilly or criminally liable if they forcibly enter a vehicle to rescue a domestic animal they believe is in imminent danger. 

Wisconsin and Ohio have had these types of laws since 2016, why does Michigan not? 

I am asking our legislators to act. A bill needs to be proposed that would not hold citizens criminally or civilly liable for rescuing a distressed domestic animal from a vehicle as long as the below criteria are met. 

• having a good faith belief that the animal is in imminent danger or harm
• notifying the police that you will be entering the vehicle to rescue 
• using no more force than necessary to enter the vehicle 
• staying with the animal until the police arrive