Californians who get caught driving with pets on their lap may be fined $35 by police.
Assembly Bill 2233 presented by Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia, moved on Monday to the Senate on a 44-11 vote.

Ironically, Maze doesn’t have unanimous backing as several of his fellow Republicans, including Assemblyman Martin Garrick, received the bill with hostility. Despite the Republicans’ opinion, most Democrats agree with Maze and are planning to put the measure on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk.

Schwarzenegger already signed a driver-distraction bill that, beginning July 1, forbids drivers to talk on cell phones without a hands-free device, so this would probably make a solid addendum.

Maze said he thought of introducing the bill when he saw a woman driving with no less than three dogs on her lap. Well it IS Hollywood, dahling!

The Department of Motor Vehicles of California has already suggested that motorists use pet carriers secured in a vehicle, but the new bill allows motorists to figure for themselves which method they should use to secure their pets in the car.

We suggest you consider using these jazzy carriers from our friends at Jeep Pet Products.

I know this isn’t ‘funny,’ but how in the heck can two people be on the run with 100 dogs? The news report out of Australia describes the Highams, found guilty last week of animal abuse, as having absconded with 100 dogs in a trailer. Police are asking for help? Come on now, surely they have to make a pee stop somewhere? My heart goes out for these helpless, four-footed victims.

Hey, don’t forget this is National Pet Week

So do what you can to prove you are a responsible pet owner.