It seems that every day there is another article about a dog left in a hot, parked car, and while this in itself is very disturbing there is another level to these stories that is very concerning.

Many people around the country have had charges pressed upon them for vicious violation of property after breaking windows of vehicles to save the lives of these animals in dire distress because of lack of protection under the State Civil code for Good Samaritans.

In California according to California Codes. Penal Code. Part 1. Of Crimes and Punishments. Title 14. Malicious Mischief. § 597.7. only a peace officer, humane officer, or an animal control officer may remove an animal in distress from a vehicle. But it only takes minutes for an animal to suffer fatal damage from heat stroke and a responding agent may not arrive.

I propose a change to California Codes. Penal Code. Part 1. Of Crimes and Punishments. Title 14. Malicious Mischief. § 597.7. to include a clause in which protects the actions of good Samaritans who take reasonable actions to remove an animal from a motor vehicle if the animal's safety appears to be in immediate danger from heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.

No animal should have to suffer a slow and agonizing death because individuals are afraid of being sued for saving a life.