The Bakersfield Californian
Excerpt from 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW: Today’s guide to the obscure, the possibly relevant and things in between
Compiled by The Californian’s Elizabeth Sanchez, Robert Price and John Cox. | THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
He likes what he’s seen of a new Tennessee law that saves pets’ lives, and now Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, R-Rancho Cucamonga, is pursuing something similar for California, reports The Sacramento Bee.
The new bill would give Californians the option of smashing car windows to free animals locked inside overheated vehicles without facing a civil lawsuit.
“A dog can go into organ failure and (suffer) brain damage within 15 minutes,” said Sharie Lesniak, founder of mydogiscool.com, a website devoted to guarding against dogs overheating in cars. “So it is something to know you can do something if they don’t get there in time.”
Dogs are unable to vent heat by sweating and can become overheated faster than humans. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the temperature inside a car rises quickly. On a 70-degree day, a car interior can reach 89 degrees in 10 minutes and climb to 99 degrees after 20.
Of course, the bill includes proposed guidelines. In order to free dogs without fear of being sued, people would need to confirm the car is locked and that there’s no “reasonable method” available other than forcible entry. They must believe the dog is in imminent danger, contact authorities and then wait for them to arrive, says the Sacramento Bee.
Read the full article at THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
Sacramento Bee
Excerpt from AM Alert
Story By Jeremy B. White | Sacramento Bee
HOT DOGS: As we reported in today’s Bee, lawmakers want to allow good samaritans to bust overheated pooches out of locked cars. Assemblymen Marc Steinorth, R-Rancho Cucamonga, and Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles, will be advocating for Assembly Bill 797 along with members of the Humane Society on the north steps at 11 a.m.
Read the full article at Sacramento Bee
Los Angeles Times
Excerpt from Newsletter Essential California
Story By Alice Walton and Shelby Grad | Los Angeles Times
Pet safety: A proposed state bill would allow Californians to break car windows and free dogs that appear to be overheating. To draw attention to the bill, three Republican lawmakers spent 21 minutes in a hot car. “These owners, they just don’t realize how hot it can get, and I wanted to create legislation that enables us to be proactive,” said Assemblyman Marc Steinorth (R-Rancho Cucamonga). Sacramento Bee
Read the full article at Los Angeles Times
