Bill > H4018

This bill aims to protect animals from dangerous conditions in unattended motor vehicles by establishing penalties for owners who leave their pets in such situations. It recognizes that even moderate temperatures can quickly become deadly for animals inside a closed car, leading to suffering, injury, or death. The bill creates a new section of law that makes it illegal to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle if conditions like extreme heat, cold, poor ventilation, or lack of food or water could cause suffering or death. For a first offense, the penalty is a fine of up to $100 per animal, but if the animal suffers serious injury, the fine can increase to $500 per animal, or the owner could face up to six months in jail, or both. Subsequent violations, regardless of injury, will also carry fines up to $500 per animal and/or jail time. Importantly, the bill authorizes police officers, special state police officers, and animal control officers to remove animals from vehicles if they appear to be in immediate danger, even if it means breaking into the vehicle after attempting to find the owner. These officers are also empowered to take the animal to a shelter, safekeeping facility, or veterinary hospital for treatment, and the owner will be responsible for any costs incurred for the animal's care before it can be reclaimed. The bill also clarifies that it does not apply to the transportation of agricultural animals in vehicles designed for that purpose.