It’s all very well taking your dog out for a run in the park or on the beach, but how do you get there? If you and your dog are travelling by car, then you need to think about keeping the dog, yourself, and others safe.
The New Zealand Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Dogs has some clear guidance about transporting dogs, including this:
Dogs must not be held in cars or car boots or portable kennels if there is a risk of them overheating. Temperatures in a closed car in full sun can reach 50°C in less than half and hour, and this is rapidly fatal for any dog trapped inside.
While the car is moving, the use of a proprietary harness to secure the dog to fitted seat belts is recommended. A process of familiarisation should be undertaken to prevent the dog being distressed by sudden unexpected restraint.
All buckled in safely! Willow, Oshi and Sasha in the car. All 3 have leads attached to their collars, but the seatbelts are hooked onto the harnesses.
Apart from an unrestrained animal potentially distracting you, perhaps by trying to climb into the front seat, the big problems come if there’s an accident, as explained by the Bark Buckle UP group:
But going without a restraint poses dangers to dogs and drivers alike. In the event of a sudden stop or accident, a dog can become a flying projectile that can injure you, your passengers or be thrown through the windshield. Accidents do happen everyday.
In an accident, an unrestrained animal is dangerous to the human passengers as well. Even in an accident of only 30 mph, a 15-pound child can cause an impact of more than 675 pounds. A 60-pound dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, a windshield, or another passenger. Even if the animal survives, it can impede the progress of rescue workers for whom every moment is precious.
Unrestrained pets can also distract the driver, and cause an accident. Even pets that are normally well behaved could be frightened by something unusual and dive for the driver’s feet or lap. Following a car accident, an unrestrained pet could escape and be hit by another vehicle or cause another collision. A frightened dog may attack strangers who are trying to help.
[Via : Bark Buckle UP.]
I remember one day we were driving along Wellington’s South Coast when suddenly something fell from the rear window of the car in front of us. It turned out to be their small dog that had jumped out. Luckily it was unhurt, but we could easily have driven over the poor thing and everyone got a fright.
Next time you and your dog jump into the car for an outing, make sure both of you have your seatbelts on. And use a proper harness. If you attach a seatbelt to the dog’s collar you may just end up breaking its neck if you stop suddenly.