Last summer, Georgia saw repeated tragedies as dogs died in sweltering vehicles. Some suffered in silence until it was too late. And this summer could be worse.

In Savannah, it’s illegal to leave a dog in a hot car under dangerous conditions. Law enforcement can break a window to save the animal. But if you do it, if a civilian sees a dog gasping in a sealed, sweltering car and smashes the glass to save it, you could face criminal charges.

That has to change.

We’re calling on Savannah city leaders and Chatham County lawmakers to decriminalize the act of breaking into a vehicle when it’s done to rescue a dog in immediate heat distress. The law must protect Good Samaritans who do everything right: call 911, try to find the owner, and only use the force needed to save a life.

Other states—including Florida and Tennessee—already have these protections. Savannah should, too. No one should have to choose between saving a dog and risking arrest.

Every minute counts when a dog is trapped in a hot car. Let’s make sure the law is on the side of life.