What's happening
This bill allows firefighters, in addition to police and humane officers, to rescue animals from unattended vehicles in dangerous conditions without liability.
Why it matters
Expands emergency response. By including both paid and volunteer firefighters, the bill increases the number of first responders legally allowed to intervene when an animal is left in a dangerous vehicle situation, potentially speeding up rescue and improving animal outcomes.
Reduces legal barriers for firefighters. The bill explicitly protects firefighters from both criminal and civil liability when they act reasonably and in good faith to save animals, removing hesitation due to fear of lawsuits or prosecution.
Strengthens public safety protocols. The amendment ensures that all rescuers (now including firefighters) must leave a written notice with their contact information, making it easier for pet owners to locate their animals and reinforcing transparency in emergency animal rescues.
Addresses gaps in animal welfare enforcement. By not limiting rescue authority solely to police or humane officers, the bill acknowledges that firefighters are often first to arrive at emergencies, helping close enforcement gaps during critical incidents involving companion animals.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Pets in Hot Cars
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
15 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.219
- Rules report cal.219
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Reported referred to codes
- Print number 4029a
- Amend (t) and recommit to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Protect Pets in Hot Cars
In Senate Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 3954--A A. 4029--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
January 31, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture -- recommitted to the Committee on Agriculture in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE, CAHILL, CRESPO, ENGLE- BRIGHT, McDONOUGH, MONTESANO, MORINELLO, MURRAY, TITONE, RAIA, L. ROSENTHAL, SKOUFIS, D'URSO, LUPARDO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BLAKE, COOK, GALEF, JAFFEE, B. MILLER, MOSLEY, SIMON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture -- recommitted to the Committee on Agriculture in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the confinement of companion animals in unattended motor vehicles under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 353-d of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 586 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
§ 353-d. Confinement of companion animals in vehicles: extreme temperatures. 1. A person shall not confine a companion animal in a motor vehicle in extreme heat or cold without proper ventilation or other protection from such extreme temperatures where such confinement places the companion animal in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury due to exposure to such extreme heat or cold.
2. Where the operator of such a vehicle cannot be promptly located, a police officer, peace officer, [or] peace officer acting as an agent of a duly incorporated humane society, paid firefighter, or a volunteer firefighter who in the performance of such volunteer firefighter's
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04495-02-8
S. 3954--A 2 A. 4029--A
duties is directed to respond to a call for assistance for such animal may take necessary steps to remove the animal or animals from the vehicle.
3. Police officers, peace officers [or], peace officers acting as agents of a duly incorporated humane society, paid firefighter, or a volunteer firefighter who in the performance of such volunteer firefighter's duties is directed to respond to a call for assistance for such animal removing an animal or animals from a vehicle pursuant to this section shall place a written notice on or in the vehicle, bearing the name of the officer or agent, and the department or agency and address and other contact information, if available, where the animal or animals will be taken.
4. An animal or animals removed from a vehicle pursuant to this section shall, after receipt of any necessary emergency veterinary treatment, be delivered to the duly incorporated humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or designated agent thereof, in the jurisdiction where the animal or animals were seized.
5. Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of subdivision one of this section shall be guilty of a violation, punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars for a first offense, and a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred and fifty dollars for a second and subsequent offenses.
6. Officers and firefighters shall not be held criminally or civilly liable for actions taken reasonably and in good faith in carrying out the provisions of this section.
7. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to affect any other protections afforded to companion animals under any other provisions of this article.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.