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Proposed Bill Would Let Passersby Break Into Hot Cars To Rescue Pets

BOSTON (CBS) -- "It's animal torture." That's what Massachusetts state Senator Mark Montigny calls leaving a dog in a car on a hot day.

Montigny says just this past weekend, police officers in Wrentham had to pull two dogs from sweltering vehicles in a mall parking lot. "By the time police got there it was 130 degrees in the car, it's outrageous!"

Montigny is sponsoring a bill called An Act To Prevent Animal Suffering and Death. It calls for penalties for anyone who leaves a dog in a motor vehicle in a manner that threatens the health of an animal. It also enables first responders, animal control officers, and ordinary citizens to break into a car and remove an animal after first attempting to find the animals owner.

The bill also calls for allowing regular citizens to intervene, and break into a car to save an animal if they think the animal is in danger and an effort has been made to contact police.

Sen Montigny told WBZ the bill is "the best way to save pets from being tortured."

The bill, which has passed the Senate, is now headed to the House.

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