The Alabama Senate passed a bill to help save animals in hot cars. Sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Holley, SB67 aims to prevent animal abuse. This bill passed the Senate in a vote of 33-0 and now heads to the House.
If enacted, this bill would prevent owners from leaving domestic animals in a motor vehicle unattended in a manner that creates an unreasonable risk of injury or harm to the animal.
Currently, there is no legislation that forbids owners from leaving animals in vehicles where there is possible harm or injury concerned.
This bill would also provide criminal immunity to civilians aiding animals stuck in a dangerous situation inside a vehicle.
In addition, the bill would grant civil and criminal immunity to any public safety official who rescues an animal.
Bill sponsor Senator Jimmy Holley noted that this bill was intended to mirror the law passed in a previous session that was created to prevent parents from leaving small children in cars during extreme temperatures.
“I’m blessed to have a district with so many people who love their pets, especially their dogs. I was asked to create a bill that paralleled the bill we previously passed that protected people who rescued children from dangerous situations in vehicles,” Senator Holley said.
This bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Senator Jimmy Holley represents District 31 in the Alabama State Senate, which includes all or parts of Coffee, Dale and Pike counties.
