Photo: petcha
In most US states and some European countries, you can break into someone’s car if you think their child or dog left inside are in danger due to the hot weather, without fear of prosecution.
This also applies in Ohio, thanks to Senate Bill 215, also known as the state’s “Hot Car” legislation. As long as you have proof that your actions are justified (video of the child or animal in distress), you should not fear any legal repercussions.
Richard Hill knew this, and he acted in good faith late last month, when he noticed 2 dogs inside a hot car in a Walmart parking lot. One of the dogs was very agitated, making the car’s alarm go off, while a puppy was lying down, not moving. He assumed their owner had been gone long enough for the puppy to faint.
He first called the police and then broke into the car, taking a hammer to one of its windows. The police came shortly afterwards, as did the owner and Hill ended up being cited for criminal damaging.
He’s taking his plight to social media, urging people to come to his aid – both financially and with legal advice. He says the car’s windows and sunroof were closed, so he assumed the dog were distressed because of the heat.
CCTV footage shows the owner had been gone exactly 4 minutes when Hill was smashing the car’s window. He saw the dogs inside the car 2 minutes after the owner entered Walmart. Police arrived right after Hill broke the window.
Sergeant Dan Ciryak tells Cleveland.com that Hill acted rashly, doling out justice when he should have just waited for the cops. His heart might have been in the right place, but his timing was off because this was no life and death situation – and, for that, he must pay.
“We believe his heart may have been in the right place, but he should have waited a little more,” Ciryak says. “He knew the police were coming. I don't know what his sense of urgency was.”
Richard Hill knew this, and he acted in good faith late last month, when he noticed 2 dogs inside a hot car in a Walmart parking lot. One of the dogs was very agitated, making the car’s alarm go off, while a puppy was lying down, not moving. He assumed their owner had been gone long enough for the puppy to faint.
He first called the police and then broke into the car, taking a hammer to one of its windows. The police came shortly afterwards, as did the owner and Hill ended up being cited for criminal damaging.
He’s taking his plight to social media, urging people to come to his aid – both financially and with legal advice. He says the car’s windows and sunroof were closed, so he assumed the dog were distressed because of the heat.
CCTV footage shows the owner had been gone exactly 4 minutes when Hill was smashing the car’s window. He saw the dogs inside the car 2 minutes after the owner entered Walmart. Police arrived right after Hill broke the window.
Sergeant Dan Ciryak tells Cleveland.com that Hill acted rashly, doling out justice when he should have just waited for the cops. His heart might have been in the right place, but his timing was off because this was no life and death situation – and, for that, he must pay.
“We believe his heart may have been in the right place, but he should have waited a little more,” Ciryak says. “He knew the police were coming. I don't know what his sense of urgency was.”
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