Have you ever walked passed a parked car on a hot day and observed a dog locked inside? Have you ever had to stand in a sweltering parking lot anxiously waiting for animal control, or the police, to arrive to free a dog from inside of a parked car? Good Samaritans in Vermont will now have the ability to take matters into their own hands if they believe that a dog (or a child) is in immediate danger, reports WCAX News.
The new law, “Forcible Entry of Motor Vehicle for Rescue Purposes,” went into effect on July 1. Thanks to the law, individuals who enter someone’s vehicle, to free a dog or child from the intense heat, will not be liable for damages to the vehicle.
According to the Burlington Free Press, good Samaritans who feel the need to free a dog or child from a parked vehicle must follow certain steps, including calling 9-1-1, checking to see if the vehicle’s doors are locked, and remaining with the dog or child until emergency personnel shows up. A note, explaining what happened, must also be left on the vehicle.
Authorities recommend that they are the first point of contact in these potentially life or death situations – the law is only to be acted upon in cases where it is believed that the vehicle’s occupant is in imminent danger.
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Great news. Hope to see this law extended nation-wide.
GREAT NEWS, BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT SHOULD I EVER COME UPON A LIFE IN DANGER IN A CAR LIKE THAT, WHETHER 2 OR 4 LEGGED, I WOULD CALL 911 1ST, THEN I WOULD BEAT OUT THE GLASS OR WHATEVER I NEEDED TO DO AND WORRY ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES LATER. THATS JUST ME.
I agree, I wouldn’t be worrying about the consequences either.
Every state needs a law like this, it might save a lot of lives.
Vermont “gets it”. Now if the other states will get off their “rusty dusty” and pass similar laws!
This is a very good law, hope to see it nation wide very soon. Btw, I would do it anyway and let the chips fall where they may.