New law protects rescuers who save pets

Legislation applies to first responders, not private citizens

A new law allows first responders -- but not private citizens -- to break into vehicles to rescue pets.

Signed into law in October by Gov. Tom Wolf, part of Act 104 of 2018 protects emergency responders from liability when they act in good faith to rescue pets that are in imminent danger from vehicles -- such as in dangerously hot and cold weather.

Central Pennsylvania Humane Society Police Officer Paul Gottshall said the threat of getting sued for damages is a common tactic that people who have had their pets pulled from hot cars or similar situations use to try to intimidate him into not pursuing charges -- although he stressed it doesn't work.

"I'm pleased they've done something to try to protect us," Gottshall said last week after the new law took effect on Christmas Day.

The situations usually occur in the summer, when pets left in sweltering vehicles are most at risk. Before the new law, there weren't really any protections against first responders being held liable for damages such as broken windows.

While last summer saw fewer calls over animals in hot vehicles, in 2017 it was a constant issue, Gottshall said.

"We've been threatened to be sued for doing our jobs trying to give aid to an animal," Gottshall said. "That's what you're worried about -- trying to do your job and that someone will try to sue you to try to deter you."

Altoona Fire Department Chief Tim Hileman said he is glad the new law is in place, although in the past the department hasn't let that risk stop it from getting into vehicles when needed in an emergency. The firefighters use equipment designed to open locked vehicles, so damage would be minimal, and the bulk of their calls are from the drivers themselves who have accidentally locked their pets or children in a running vehicle, Hileman said.

In situations with pets in hot vehicles, Hileman said the police are always on scene and firefighters would open a vehicle in life and death situations anyhow.

Overall, it's an issue the fire departments deal with less than the police, with maybe two or three calls a year, he added.

Logan Township Emer­gency Management Coor­dinator Jeff Blake said that the township's volunteer firefighters don't usually deal with such situations, but the added protections in the law are still welcome.

"While I haven't reviewed the law personally, any legislation that protects emergency responders as they engage in their duty to respond is positive legislation" Blake said. "Every emergency responder wants to help save lives, pets are no exception. I think legislation like this is a good thing. Emergency responders don't willingly respond with any intent to damage property, but in cases where an animals life is at stake, it's nice to know some legal protection is present when all other options are used up."

Mirror Staff Writer Greg Bock is at 946-7458.