Healing Through Action
Compassion in Action, Empowering Change, Healing Lives
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At HealingThroughAction.org, we bring relief and protection to people and animals. Our mission is to stop abuse, prevent cruelty, and provide healing through education and direct care. We work closely with communities to rescue vulnerable animals, empower abused individuals of all ages, and advocate for stronger protections. By combining compassion with action, we strive to create a world where every life—human or animal—can thrive in safety and dignity.
Louisiana Laws
Good Samaritan Law Helps Protect Pets & Children
8/1/2018
Starting Aug. 1, a new law dubbed the Good Samaritan law will go into effect for all Louisiana residents. Act No. 360 drafted and proposed by the Louisiana SPCA protects good Samaritans from liability for property damage when rescuing an unattended animal or minor from a vehicle.
“We are extremely happy about this new law that our Government Relations Committee fought so hard to pass,” says Louisiana SPCA CEO, Ana Zorrilla. “This year alone our Humane Law & Rescue team has received 23 calls regarding animals being abandoned in vehicles during extreme heat.”
Authored by Senator Troy Carter, the Good Samaritan law outlines certain conditions that must be met and steps that must be taken to protect yourself from liability and prevents those from vandalizing vehicles.
Conditions:
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Owner of the vehicle cannot be found
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Animal must be a cat or dog
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You must believe the minor or animal is in imminent danger of suffering harm or of death
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Vehicle must be locked with no other reasonable means for the minor or animal to be removed
Steps to take:
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Verbally call out for the owner of the vehicle
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Contact local law enforcement (fire, 911, animal control) before entering the vehicle forcibly or otherwise
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Use reasonable force
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Leave a note on the windshield with your contact information, reason for entry into the vehicle, location of minor or animal and notice that proper authorities have been notified
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Remain with the minor or animal in a safe location, out of the elements but relatively close to the vehicle, until emergency responders arrive. If you cannot stay near the vehicle, let local law enforcement know before leaving the scene and take the minor or animal to the closest police station, hospital or animal shelter.
It is important to know that the Good Samaritan law does not protect a person from liability for bodily injury suffered by the minor or animal as a result of being rescued. To read the full law visit https://www.la-spca.org/legislation.
To report an animal locked in a vehicle in Orleans Parish, call Louisiana SPCA Humane Law & Rescue at 504.368.5191 x. 100.