Desert Messenger

2 www.DesertMessenger.com March 18, 2020 Heads up folks! Each year, hun- dreds of pets are dying in parked ve- hicles because they're left suffering with heat exhaustion. After an hour, the temperature in your vehicle can rise to over forty degrees higher than the outside temperature. On a 70° day, that's an eye-watering 110° inside your car! Arizona prohibits leaving animals unattended and confi ned in a mo- tor vehicle when physical injury to or death of the animal is likely to result. Governor Doug Ducey signed into law HB2494 in 2017, a bill that aims to end hot-car deaths and allow Good Samaritans to take action with- out risk of civil liability if they rescue a child or a pet from a hot car. The bill was sponsored by Senator John Kavanagh, a longtime ani- mal-welfare advocate who drafted the legislation with the support of the Humane Legislative Coalition of Arizona – a group that includes the Animal Defense League of Ari- zona, the Arizona Humane Society, Humane Society of Southern Arizo- naand Humane Voters of Arizona. The Humane Society of the United States and local advocates are also in support of the legislation. HB2494 Provisions: A person who uses reasonable force to remove a child or domestic ani- mal from a locked motor vehicle is not liable for damages in a civil ac- tion if they comply with the follow- ing conditions: 1. The rescuer has a good faith belief that the confi ned child or pet is in imminent danger of suffering phys- ical injury or death unless they are removed from the vehicle. 2. The rescuer determines the car is locked or there is no reasonable manner in which the person can re- move the child or pet. 3. Before entering the vehicle, the rescuer notifi es the proper authori- ties (defi ned). 4. The rescuer does not use more force than is necessary under the circumstances to enter the vehicle. 5. The rescuer remains with the child or pet until the authorities arrive. "Every year, local police and our Emergency Animal Medical Tech- nicians™ respond to dozens of calls of children and pets left in hot cars," said Dr. Steven Hansen, CEO of the Arizona Humane Society. "This law allows us to be able to direct the caller to take action, immediately, without exposing the Good Samari- tan to liability for breaking a win- dow and potentially saving a life." Don't leave your pets in the car Custom Designed CAKES! 410 E. MAIN ST. QUARTZSITE, AZ 928-927-9300 Open Daily 7am-7pm COYOTE FRESH FOODS HOMEMADE SOUPS! Fresh Bread & Rolls Daily Custom Designed Cakes FRESH BAKED COOKIES & PIES THE BEST CUSTOM CUT MEATS! Fried Chicken & BBQ Ribs Daily! LUNCH SPECIALS!

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