UPDATE @ 10:53 p.m. (Dec. 14): The Beavercreek City Council has passed its pet rescuer law, which could be the first of its kind in Ohio.
The council vote was unanimous. The law could go into effect as early as January.
UPDATE @ 11:02 p.m. (Nov. 9):
The City Council will convene a public hearing on a proposed law that would protect a pet rescuer — someone who breaks into a locked vehicle during extreme weather to rescue an animal — from criminal charges.
After a unanimous vote Monday night approving the proposal, the proposed legislation moved to a second reading, where a public hearing will be held. The public hearing has not been scheduled.
Council will have to approve the ordinance after a third reading for it to become law. If approved, the law would go into effect 30 days after final council approval.
While the proposed ordinance could keep the person from being charged criminally, the individual could still be subject to a civil lawsuit, according to city Law Director Stephen McHugh.
He said a number of conditions must be met before a person would be protected from criminal charges.
FIRST REPORT
The city council will vote on a proposed law that would protect people who break into a locked vehicle, during extreme weather, to rescue a pet.
Beavercreek City Councilman Zach Upton, who owns two dogs, said he suggested the law after reading a news story about a man who was criminally charged for breaking a vehicle window to rescue a dog.
“I thought that’s just not right,” Upton said. “This man did good will, and there needs to be something we can do to protect him.”
Monday night’s city council meeting will mark the first of three readings on the ordinance. The council will have to approve the ordinance three times before it becomes a law. If approved, the law could go into effect as early as January.
