Bill would prevent civil claims when dogs rescued from hot cars

An Atlanta lawmaker wants to help those who lend a hand when man’s best friend is in distress.

A person who rescues or attempts to rescue a dog from a locked car could not be sued for damages — such as a broken window — if he or she acted acted “in good faith,” under legislation introduced this week in the Georgia House.

HB 858 by Rep. Margaret Kaiser, D-Atlanta, mirrors a bill that lawmakers passed last year, giving protection against claims for civil damages to people who rescue children from locked cars.

Several high-profile cases in the last 18 months have drawn attention to the problem of children and dogs becoming ill or dying in hot locked cars. In June 2015, Gov. Nathan Deal reported that eight children had died in the state since 2010 died due to vehicular heatstroke.

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