What This Statute Says
Arizona summers can turn the inside of a parked car into a deadly environment within minutes. This statute gives bystanders a clear, limited civil immunity when they intervene.
A person who uses reasonable force to enter a locked and unattended motor vehicle to remove a minor or confined domestic animal is not liable for any damages in a civil action if all of the following apply...
A.R.S. § 12-558.02(A)All Five Conditions Must Be Met
- Good faith belief the minor or domestic animal is in imminent danger of physical injury or death unless removed.
- The car is locked or there is no other reasonable way to remove the minor or animal.
- Before entering, the rescuer notifies a peace officer, emergency medical service, first responder, or animal control.
- Force used is no more than necessary to enter and remove.
- The rescuer stays with the minor or animal until the contacted responder arrives.
Skipping any condition or causing unnecessary or malicious damage to the vehicle removes the immunity. "Domestic animal" means a dog, cat, or other domesticated household pet.
What This Means for Arizona Families
This statute does not usually surface in estate planning, but it can come up in two practical ways for Arizona families. First, if a family member rescued a child or pet from a vehicle and is later sued, the immunity is a complete defense when the conditions are met. Second, if a family member's vehicle was broken into for a rescue, the protections cut against later civil recovery for vehicle damage when the rescue followed the statute.
For day-to-day life, the practical point is simple. Call 911 or animal control first, document the call, use only the force needed, and stay with the child or animal until help arrives. The statute protects rescuers who follow that path.