Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday signed into law a new series of protections for animals, including measures aimed at discouraging leaving pets in cars when temperatures grow extremely hot or cold.
Originally filed by Sen. Mark Montigny of New Bedford, the law will make clear that first-responders encountering a pet in a hot or cold car can break the window to rescue the animal from dangerous temperatures. Under the law, private citizens, too, can enter a car to release an animal in "imminent danger" if they make "reasonable efforts" to locate the owner, call 911, remain with the animal until a first responder arrives and do not use "more force than reasonably necessary to enter the motor vehicle."
A national energy group criticized the Supreme Judicial Court's decision Wednesday blocking utilities from charging consumers for natural gas pipeline construction.
David Holt, the president of the Consumer Energy Alliance, said the ruling would "eliminate an opportunity to alleviate wild price swings," which he said cost consumers $2.1 billion during the "Polar Vortex."
