Gov. Brown signs law allowing Californians to break into hot cars to save animals

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Just in time for the Bay Area heat wave, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law AP 797, a law that allows people within the state to break into cars to save animals that may be at risk of overheating.

According to the "Right to Rescue" act, so dubbed by co-author Assemblyman Marc Steinforth, Californians must call law enforcement first, and then proceed to break a window to rescue an animal if it appears to be in danger. The rescuer must then remain at the scene until law enforcement arrives.

The bill was presented to the State Assembly on August 25, 2016 by Steinorth and three other Assemblymen (including Bill Quirk representing Hayward and Steve Glazer representing Orinda). It was put forth after a number of animals in the state died after being left in cars on hot days.

BIG NEWS!!! The Governor signed AB 797 the #RightToRescueAct! We're very excited about the lives this new law will save.... Posted by Assemblyman Marc Steinorth on Saturday, September 24, 2016

PETA reports that animals can suffer brain damage or even death from heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes left in a hot car.

In San Francisco, where this week's heat is topping 85 degrees, the temperatures inside cars can reach up to 102 degrees within 10 minutes, according to the Humane Society.

"The Right to Rescue Act will save lives," said Steinorth in late August. "In an emergency, good Samaritans should be confident that they won't be sued for taking heroic actions to rescue a pet. We hope this never has to happen; this effort is also about spreading awareness of the danger of hot cars, and that leaving your pet in harmful conditions is already illegal."

Alyssa Pereira is a staff writer for SFGATE. Follow her here on Twitter.