New Indiana bill removes liability for breaking hot car windows to save distressed pets

A new Indiana law was just passed with the goal of saving furry friends.

Hoosiers can now legally break a window of a hot car to save an animal.

This law is seen as a win for many pet lovers.

Governor Braun signed the bill into law last week, protecting Hoosiers from any legal liability for saving an animal inside a hot, locked car.

The new law removes the liability for saving an animal inside a “motor vehicle.”

Governor Braun signed the bill into law last week, protecting Hoosiers from any legal liability for saving an animal inside a hot, locked car.{ }

However, the law comes with certain restrictions on how you can save the animal.

First, an animal exhibiting distress must be in a locked car, and before breaking into the car, you must call 911 or alert first responders.

Most of the time, animal control will also be dispatched along with first responders to help the animal as well.

“This law doesn’t say go full vigilante, break into cars, release every dog you see, right? In our operations, we take into consideration a number of different things. What’s the temperature like? What’s the cloud cover like? How long has the animal been in a vehicle?” said Executive Director of South Bend Animal Resource Center Brittni Gendron.

You must also make sure there is no other way to get into the car before breaking in.

Make sure all the doors are actually locked and do not use more force than reasonably necessary to save the animal.

For example, you do not need to break all the windows in the car to get an animal out.

Lastly, the person must stay on scene with the animal until law enforcement arrives.

“When we look at animal welfare from a community perspective, it really is a community effort, so you don’t have to be in this alone when you are doing your best to prioritize animal welfare,” said Gendron.

Prior to the new law, Hoosiers were responsible for paying for half of the damage done to the car.

The bill also clarifies that law enforcement, firefighters, animal control officers, or vets are also not liable for damages.

“I hope this brings some awareness and gives people pause before they leave their decide to leave their animal in a vehicle for long periods of time. That’s also my hope, that this law will help prevent that from happening,” said Gendron.

The law included increased penalties for animal-related offenses.

Before you start breaking into cars to save animals or if you are unsure about what to do in a situation about an animal locked in a car, it is encouraged to call 911 for guidance.

The law will go into effect on July 1st.