Councilwoman Murrell previews ordinance to allow responders to rescue animals from hot vehicles

Councilwoman Murrell told the Radcliffe City Council on July 7 she will bring an ordinance next month that would permit first responders, code enforcement and animal control to enter vehicles to rescue animals showing signs of distress when attempts to locate an owner fail.

“I might not be using the right language, but... if there's animals that are left in a vehicle, in hot temperatures, cold temperatures, and they are suffering, they may be dehydrating, they may already be, passing away,” Councilwoman Murrell said. She said the proposal would allow responders to act without facing civil penalties such as replacement costs for a broken window after officers make reasonable efforts to find the owner.

Murrell said the proposal would require responders to try to locate the owner first and use those attempts as part of the record. She noted that existing criminal provisions for animal cruelty remain applicable: "if the dog is really sick or dying or suffering or died, then that's bridal cruelty charge, which is actually a felony," she said, using the transcript phrasing. Murrell said Jefferson County has a similar ordinance and that county averages about 250 to 300 related calls a year; she said Radcliffe is much smaller and will likely see far fewer calls.

City staff led by Mr. Pike will draft clearer language and present the ordinance at a future meeting, Murrell said. No vote or ordinance adoption occurred on July 7; the council treated the item as a heads-up and planning step.