Alabama could see a new law against leaving pets in hot cars after overwhelming public outcry over the death of a dog in Trussville last week. And according to one of the state's highest-ranking lawmakers, that new law might also allow for the smashing of car windows to save a trapped animal.
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said he was "looking into having legislation drafted to prohibit people from leaving animals unattended in their vehicles" in a Facebook post on Sunday evening.
"A child can't fend for themselves in a situation like that, nor can a dog or cat," Marsh said. "It would basically say you cannot leave an animal unattended under those circumstances."
Marsh said the legislation he would want to propose would also protect those who attempt to save an animal by knocking out a window of a car, for example.
The conversation was prompted by a dog named Sky being left in a hot car in a Trussville Walmart parking lot for about eight hours. Stephanie Shae Thomas, 34 of Trussville, was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.
Marsh said someone stopped him this past weekend with concerns about Alabama law and the Trussville case.
"They were very disturbed about it, and we talked about it," Marsh said. "I said I would propose the legislation."
While legislation has been proposed to help prevent instances like these from occurring, there is nothing in Alabama law that states leaving animals in unaccompanied vehicles is illegal.
In 2017, State Representative Chris England sponsored a good Samaritan Law that allowed civilians to break a car window, if necessary to save a dog or cat, without charges against them.
The bill was proposed late in the session and time ran out. England said he will be proposing the legislation in the next session, as he did in 2017. He said he might consider supporting a stronger stance, like Marsh's, after looking at what is proposed.
The issue initially came across his desk when students from Holt High School demonstrated what an animal feels while locked in a car by putting England's head in a box with a hairdryer.
"I don't see much of a legitimate reason to leave your pet in a car, especially for several hours," England said.
The same issue is now on Gov. Kay Ivey's desk after a booming petition on change.org has called for the governor to change Alabama law. The petition currently has 45,612 signatures.
Florida, Colorado, Louisiana and Tennessee have good Samaritan laws allowing persons the right to break into vehicles to save animals or children in need.
Other surrounding states have laws similar to the one Marsh is planning to propose.
Arizona, California, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey and Minnesota have made it illegal to leave animals in conditions which are harmful - whether a hot or a cold vehicle.
"I am sure there will be a lot of questions," Marsh said. "I think it is a conversation that needs to be had and hopefully we will be able to pass a piece of legislation to protect animals in this situation."