HB1323: Civil immunity; forcible entry of motor vehicle to remove unattended companion animal.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1323

Offered January 21, 2016
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 3.2-6504.1, relating to civil immunity; companion animals left unattended in motor vehicles.
Patrons-- Bagby, Herring, Hope, Kory and Simon
Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 3.2-6504.1 as follows:

§ 3.2-6504.1. Civil immunity; forcible entry of motor vehicle to remove unattended companion animal.

No person who in good faith forcibly enters a motor vehicle in order to remove an unattended companion animal that is at risk of serious bodily injury or death shall be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions resulting from such forcible entry, provided that the person has attempted to contact a law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101, a firefighter as defined in § 65.2-102, emergency medical services personnel as defined in § 32.1-111.1, an emergency 911 system, an animal control officer, or a humane investigator, if feasible under the circumstances. Such acts or omissions shall include those resulting in the loss of the animal by death or escape or any injury caused by the animal where such loss or injury would not have occurred but for the animal's unattended occupancy of the vehicle.