DRIVING AROUND WITH MY BEST BUDDY

Patricia

DRIVING AROUND WITH MY BEST BUDDY

Dogs, our best friends, our babies, our companions, and part of our family; we love hanging out together and taking them on car rides wherever we go; they look so cute happily hanging their heads out the window with the wind in their faces. But, did you know that there are regulations regarding dog transport in a vehicle?

LEGISLATION ON SECURING DOGS IN MOVING VEHICLES

Laws on traveling in vehicles with dogs are different from state to state and they are rather ambiguous; however, there are some basic guidelines on the topic, if not to prevent our best friends from getting injured, then to avoid driver´s distractions.

Not to let your dog near the front seat.
Not to have a dog on the driver´s lap
Do not let your dog move freely inside the vehicle
Never transport a dog in a closed trunk
Not to let your dog hang out of the car window
Not to lead your dog outside the car while it is in motion.
Keep your dog restrained in a comfortable way

WHY RESTRAIN THEM?

A loose dog is a distraction to the driver
A dog with its head out the window can be injured by other vehicles or debris on the road.
Loose dogs can cause road accidents
Unrestrained dogs can interfere with the steering wheel, gearshift, or pedals.
Unrestrained dogs can be injured or even killed by an airbag
Lack of restraint can prevent you from receiving insurance coverage in case of collision.

M&M VEHICLE TRANSPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

Think like a parent: would you drive without your child wearing a seatbelt or a car seat? Do the same to protect your dog.
You can take your dog everywhere but it is advisable to check first if pets are allowed
Even if your state has no law banning unrestrained dog transportation, it may have severe legislation against driver distractions.
Never leave your dog in a car unattended, there are strict laws against it.
For more information, see AVMA’s resources on Animal Travel and Transport.

Patricia