A Michigan lawmaker wants people to be able to smash in windows if they see a dog suffering inside a hot car.

Beau LaFave. (Courtesy photo)

This week State Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain, introduced a bill that would shield people from lawsuits or criminal prosecution if they broke a car's window to save an animal suffering inside.

"I've heard time and time again of these tragic cases around the state of Michigan and in the United States where a poor dog dies in a hot or cold car," LaFave said to MLive. "But if someone sees a dog in a hot car panting to death; break the window. I want you to break the window."

On July 26 a Detroit police dog was left in his handler's car for at least 40 minutes with no air conditioning -- and died the next day. The officer was reassigned to another division and the case was forwarded to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office for review of possible criminal charges.

"How tough might that be for an average citizen to break a cop's window? I want to make sure that that could happen," LaFave said. "And I want people to know that you save the life of that pet, we'll figure it out later. But you're not going to get sued; you're not going to go to jail if you save the life of a puppy dog or a baby out of the back seat of a hot or freezing car."

LaFave's proposed bill -- House Bill 6298 of 2018 -- includes several criteria for someone contemplating breaking a car window to save an animal:

-They must check to see if the car is locked, and if there is any other possible way to get the animal out of the car

-The animal must be in imminent danger or suffering

-They must either call 911, local police or the local fire department as soon as possible either before or after breaking into the vehicle

-They must remain in a safe place with the animal near the vehicle until authorities arrive

-They must leave a note on the person's windshield with their contact information, an explanation for why they broke into the vehicle, where the animal is and that the authorities were notified

-They cannot use more force than is necessary to enter the vehicle

The bill was introduced by LaFave Sept. 5 and referred to the Committee on Law and Justice for review.

LaFave also introduced several other animal-related bills this week, including proposed regulations for ferrets; regulations for pet shops and animal shelters; and a law that would prevent local cities or townships from enacting breed bans.

Even on a 70-degree day, a vehicle's interior can get 20 degrees hotter, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. On an 85-degree day, it takes but 10 minutes for the interior to reach 102 degrees, even with the windows cracked.

Michigan currently has anti-cruelty laws that make it a misdemeanor punishable by no more than 93 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, for mistreatment and neglect of an animal.

A pair of bills introduced in the state Senate in 2016 would have made it a felony to leave animals in a car. After being referred to a committee, they did not advance.

An existing law governs leaving children in cars, and come with higher punishments; up to a $10,000 fine and/or 15 years in jail for those who violate the statute and cause the death of a child.