What's happening
This bill allows paid and volunteer firefighters to remove animals from unattended vehicles in dangerous conditions and provides them legal protection for such actions.
Why it matters
Expands who can legally intervene. The bill authorizes both paid and volunteer firefighters—alongside police and humane officers—to remove animals from vehicles in dangerous temperature conditions, recognizing their role as first responders and increasing the pool of people available to save animals quickly.
Provides legal immunity for firefighters. By explicitly protecting firefighters from civil or criminal liability when acting reasonably and in good faith, the bill ensures they can act to rescue animals without fear of lawsuits or prosecution, likely increasing willingness to intervene in urgent situations.
Clarifies response procedures. The legislation requires rescuers to leave a written notice in the vehicle with their contact information and details about where the animal has been taken, improving transparency for pet owners and ensuring accountability in the process.
Addresses gaps in existing animal protection laws. By including firefighters and spelling out their responsibilities and protections, the bill closes a loophole that previously excluded them, potentially leading to faster, life-saving responses in cases where police or humane officers are not immediately available.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Pets in Hot Cars
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 3954a
- 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 · Rules · Sponsor Fred Thiele
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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose
To better protect the health and well-being of companion animals confined in an unattended motor vehicle in extreme heat or cold temper- atures without proper ventilation or other protection from such extreme temperatures where such confinement places the companion animal in immi- nent danger of death or serious physical injury
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends Section 353-d to add paid and volunteer firefighters, to the list of those authorized in to release a companion animal confined in a motor vehicle in extreme conditions, provided the volun- teer firefighter is on duty and responding to a call for assistance for such animal.
Section 2. Effective date.
Justification
Section 353-d of the Agriculture and Markets Law prohibits persons from confining a companion animal in a motor vehicle in extreme heat or cold temperatures 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 and provides specific penalties for violations. It provides a procedure that a police officer, peace officer, or peace officer acting as an agent of a duly incorporated humane society may take to remove the animal or animals from the vehicle in cases where the operator of such vehicle cannot be promptly located. These officers shall not be held criminally or civilly liable for actions taken reasonably and in good faith in carrying out this law.
This legislation would expand the authorization provided in the law to thousands of paid and volunteer firefighters located in communities all over the State. This will help reduce wait times when a call is made to 911 that a pet is in serious danger especially in areas, and at times, when the availability of animal control officers or even police is limited.
Legislative history
2017: New Legislation
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.