Monday marked the effect date for new Pennsylvania legislation allowing certain officials to rescue pets that are in danger from vehicles.

With the law in place, officials including law enforcement officers, animal control officers, humane society police officers and emergency responders can break into vehicles to rescue dogs and cats if the animals are believed to be in danger –– such as from extreme heat or cold.

State Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, applauded the passing of the legislation, but stressed that the law doesn’t allow just anybody to break into vehicles.

“The bill doesn’t let just anybody break into the car,” he said. “It has to be a law enforcement officer, an animal control officer, a humane society worker or a first responder. Those people would be able to rescue a dog or cat where they have reasonable belief that the animal is in danger without liability.”

The law is part of Act 104-2018, which was signed by Gov. Tom Wolf on Oct. 24 and was approved to take effect after 60 days.

“The goal is to protect emergency responders who are acting in good faith,” Causer explained. “If somebody sees an animal, they’ll rescue the animal and find out who the owner is or leave a note for the owner where they can contact the law enforcement officer, humane society worker or first responder.”

According to the bill, authorities are granted permission to break into vehicles to rescue dogs and cats as long as the rescuer has good-faith and reasonable belief that the dog or cat is in imminent danger of suffering harm if not immediately removed from the motor vehicle; makes a reasonable effort to locate the driver of the motor vehicle prior to entry; takes reasonable steps to ensure or restore the well-being of the dog or cat; uses no more force than necessary under the circumstances to enter the motor vehicle; and leaves a notice on or in the motor vehicle stating the reason entry was made, the name of the person and of the person’s employer, a telephone number and, if possible, the location where the dog or cat may be retrieved.

Causer added,“I think it’s a common sense measure, and it passed overwhelmingly. If emergency workers are acting in good faith, they should not have liability for rescuing a dog or cat.”