Top Animal Protection Organizations Urge Lawmakers to Protect Pets in Time for Summertime Heat Waves
BOSTON, July 13, 2016 – Leading animal protection organizations and citizen advocates are calling on the Massachusetts state legislature to pass S. 2369—An Act to Prevent Animal Suffering and Death—which would enable faster rescue of pets trapped in hot cars, just as summertime temperatures are heating up.
WHAT:
To drive awareness for the plight of pets left in hot cars, which—according to the American Veterinary Medical Association—claims the lives of hundreds of animal lives every year—the MSPCA-Angell, Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and the Humane Society of the United States will underscore the threats pets face when trapped in hot cars, all while a thermometer tracks the steadily rising temperature inside a demonstration vehicle.
Joining the animal protection organizations will be local law enforcement, fire fighters and animal control officers who respond to calls about animals in hot cars.
2369 would give first responders including police officers, fire fighters and animal control officers explicit authority to rescue an animal from inside a car when conditions, such as extreme heat or cold, are reasonably expected to threaten the health of the animal. The bill would also allow an individual to enter a car if the animal is in imminent danger, and no other options exist.
WHEN and WHERE:
Thursday, July 14 at 12:00 p.m. at the well at the Massachusetts State House
Speakers and Photo Opportunities
Speaking in support of S. 2369 will include the bill’s sponsors, Senator Mark Montigny and Representative Lori Ehrlich, as well as officials from the following organizations:
- MSPCA-Angell
- Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL)
- The Humane Society of the United States
Photo opportunities include the speakers at the podium delivering their remarks; the car with a thermometer to track the rising temperature; citizen advocates who support S. 2369; and related visuals.
To learn more about S. 2369 and related animal protection legislation currently under consideration in the state legislature, click here.
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Press Contacts:
MSPCA-Angell
Rob Halpin
617-314-2808
rahalpin@mspca.org
Animal Rescue League of Boston
Dot Joyce
617-293-3530
Press@arlboston.org
The Humane Society International
Naseem Amini
301-548-7793
namini@humanesociety.org
