January 30, 2020
Maryland Senator Edward Reilly has introduced legislation in the Maryland General Assembly that would help animals in distress and protect the citizens who step up to save them.
Senate Bill 127 would give citizens in Maryland the right to use “reasonable force” to rescue a distressed animal trapped in a hot car. Currently, Maryland laws only give law enforcement officers and fire fighters the authority to break into a vehicle to rescue an animal. Senator Reilly wants to change that by giving civil impunity to citizens who must damage a vehicle in order to save an animal.
The bill also states that citizens are required to contact 911 before breaking into the unattended vehicle, then leave a note for the animal’s owner and wait with the animal in a safe location until authorities arrive.
Take Action: Maryland residents, contact your state senators and tell them to support Senate Bill 127 so that YOU have the power to help animals in their most desperate time of need! Remind all of your friends, family, and loved ones not to leave their animals unattended in their vehicles, no matter what the thermometer says outside.
