By Bob Katzen

The Transportation Committee held a virtual hearing on a proposal that would require that an animal riding inside a motor vehicle comply with at least one of the following: be kept in an enclosed crate; be under the physical control of a person other than the driver; or secured by a harness or seat belt.

The bill’s sponsor, Susan Grebber, a constituent of Rep. Susan Williams Gifford (D-Wareham), explains that she was driving, with her chihuahua Mollie in a pet carrier, when a vehicle hit her car from behind at more than 90 miles per hour.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Mollie’s pet carrier saved her life from being thrown out the back window or severely injured from all the glass that shattered everywhere,” said Grebber. “I see too many moving cars with their dogs’ head hanging out the window or sitting on the driver’s lap or just moving around too much. It’s not safe and we need to make Mollie’s Law an actual law like the state of Rhode Island has to protect our pets. We must protect our animals who are part of our family the same way.”