Rescue for dogs in distress

It’s now legal for a cop to break a window to save a puppy.

The new law, passed this session, takes effect this week and gives law enforcement legal protection if they bust a window to save an animal in distress.

“The new law protects police and other first responders from liability associated with breaking into a car where an animal is in distress and assesses a $125 fine for offenders,” Sen. Joe Fain, a Republican from Auburn, who worked to pass the law wrote on his Facebook page.

The law does not give the public ability to break into a car.

And, Fain wrote on his Facebook page, he would never encourage anyone to break in and rescue a pet.

He continued, “I would in no way suggest that you select the window on the far side of the vehicle from where the pet is located. And I wouldn’t hint at the fact that the weakest spot on a car window is the lower corner, and not, as you might think, the center of the window. Once shattered, I wouldn’t urge that you clear the rest of the debris away from the top of the window down using a tool and never your hand. And, by no means would I recommend that you immediately give the animal water or that you take it home and keep it.”

 

Lauren Dake

Lauren Dake

Lauren Dake covers politics for The Columbian. You can reach her at 360-735-4534 or lauren.dake@columbian.com. Follow her on Twitter .

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