NY First Responders Can Now Remove Pets from Hot Cars

It's a win for animals and animal-lovers, especially with all of the awful stories of animal neglect circling the internet lately.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation allowing first responders to remove animals from unattended vehicles when it's too hot or too cold, according to a press release from the governor's office.

Leaving a pet in a stifling hot or freezing cold car is inhumane and potentially dangerous, and emergency responders should have the ability to remove them if necessary. As a dog owner myself, I am proud to sign this measure into law to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of animals.

While the new law lets first responders, including police officers, firefighters and EMTs, remove animals from cars, regular Joe's like you and I still can't LEGALLY break a window to save an animal.

However, that is not going to stop Central New Yorkers from helping out a furry friend in need. When we posted about how it's illegal for any regular person to save animals from hot cars to our Facebook, the comments exploded! Donna Manganaro Firsching was one of many people who said she would break the window anyway.

I will take my chances with the charges. If I see a dog in distress, that window is history!

Even though I'm not usually an advocate for breaking the law, it's nice to know that a bunch of us animal-lovers would be willing to sacrifice for trapped pets.

But now, the new law will allow all first responders to act quicker and save the animals first before you or I have to take that step and break the window.