Sandy the Family Cat
CA: Pet Bill Signed
Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Protect Pets from Overheating in Vehicles
During a series of bill signing ceremonies held over the past few days, California Governor signed yet another bill. This one purports to help protect our pets. The problem with this bill, like so many others, is the simple fact that people who love their pets, will take measures to ensure their safety.
No amount of legislation will make an uncaring person act responsibly. Some people are good pet owners, other simply should never have a pet. Gee, maybe we should pass legislation that requires prospective pet owners to be screened to ensure that pets are protected? There seems to be no end to the areas legislators are willing and able to intrude upon our private lives.
After viewing the governors video of the signing, SB 1806, it's pretty clear that is he is pandering to the media.
California law had already addressed cruelty towards animals:
Existing law provides that any person who subjects any animal to needless suffering, or inflicts unnecessary cruelty upon an animal, or in any manner abuses any animal or fails to provide an animal with proper food, drink, or shelter or protection from the weather is guilty of a crime punishable by a fine not exceeding $20,000, imprisonment in a county jail, imprisonment in the state prison, or both fine and imprisonment.
So why was this new piece of legislation authored? Perhaps, simply because it makes for good press? Your guess is as good as mine.
There are two facts that are undisputed:
- This bill is subjective in nature and open to interpretation, therefore it will cause - not solve - more problems than it was intended to address.
- This bill will mean yet another financial gain for the State of California's coffers.
As always with new legislation, the benefits to pets shall remain to be seen. Will it save lives? Doubtful.
Press Release dated 9-22-06
Governor Schwarzenegger today signed SB 1806 by Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont) that will make it a crime for pet owners to carelessly leave animals unattended in vehicles during dangerous conditions, such as hot weather.
"Every year, countless dogs die after being locked in cars while their owners work, shop or run errands," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "This bill will prevent animals from suffering unbearable heat and death. I would like to thank Senator Figueroa for authoring this important legislation that will help ensure the humane treatment of animals."
SB 1806 makes it a crime for a person to leave a pet unattended in a vehicle in a way that endangers the well-being of the animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering or death. Unless the animal suffers great bodily injury, a first misdemeanor conviction for this crime is punishable by a fine of $100 or less per animal. If the animal suffers great bodily injury, the punishment is a fine of $500 or less, a sentence of up to six months in county jail, or both. A person convicted of felony animal cruelty is subject to a fine of $20,000 or less, time in state prison, or both.
Many pet owners are not aware that even moderately warm temperatures outside can quickly lead to deadly temperatures inside a closed car. For example, within one hour an outside temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit can cause conditions inside a vehicle that adversely affects the health, safety, or well-being of an animal. Even with the windows left slightly open, an 85 degree outside temperature can cause a temperature of 102 degrees inside a vehicle in 10 minutes, and can cause 120 degrees in just half an hour. A healthy dog, whose normal body temperature ranges from 101 to 102.5 degrees, can withstand a body temperature of 107 to 108 degrees for only a short time before suffering brain damage or death.
SB 1806 also allows a peace officer or animal control officer to remove a pet from a vehicle that poses dangerous conditions.
The Governor also signed the following bill that will protect animals:
Senate Bill 1349 by Senator Soto (D-Pomona) increases the penalty for causing any animal to fight with another animal to one year or less in the county jail or up to a $5000 fine, or both. The second offense for fighting animals or roosters can be a felony in some cases, which may result in prison time or a $25,000 fine, or both.Posted September 22, 2006
