SALEM, OR -- A bill aimed at protecting pets from hot cars has passed the state legislature and is headed for the Governor's desk. Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend) co-sponsored SB 614, which allows police officers to enter vehicles and impound animals when there is probable cause to believe the pet is in danger.

"This happens on a fairly regular basis," Knopp says. "It isn't intentional; people are driving around with their pet, they forget, they don't crack a window."
 

Senator Knopp says he wrote the bill on the request of a Central Oregon constituent. "There are too many deaths of these pets that could be saved," Knopp says.

Police already are allowed to enter a home if there is probable cause that an animal is being subjected to certain criminal offenses. Knopp says his bill simply extends that power to vehicles.