Restraining dogs in a vehicle.
Caring dog owners will already know this, but there are a lot of drivers who are either ignoring the law or unaware of it. --- See :- http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/dog-seatbelt-car-insurance-rules-5651379
K
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I have never forgotten attending an RTA, many years ago - before seats had head restraints - car travelling at high speed - driver performs emergency stop because of a hazard in front - unrestrained dog flew through the car and broke the driver's neck. A terrible tragedy which could so easily have been avoided. When I became a dog owner for the first time, four years ago, almost the first thing I did was buy a cage for the back of the car
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I use a strap which plugs into the seat belt socket on the back seat. I hate seeing loose dogs in cars, even in the luggage area - think what could happen to your dog if someone goes into the back of your car.
Nora
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Our dog wears a harness attached to the rear seat belt. It is so easy to fit and remove.
I don't know why so many people risk the health and well being of their dog and them selves by breaking the law and travelling with an unsecured dog in the car.
K
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Molly the Mutt just travels in the estate/boot of our car, never thought about restraints or legal side before. I could just imagine her managing to tie herself in knots with what ever restraint we might use though. I've a rear guard/screen so perhaps should fit that.
And nothing to do with being uncaring Ken9
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How do people restrain large dogs in their Motorhome, I'm struggling with this, crates don't fit in as to big. We have a Lintran cage in the back of the car so I feel they are quite secure there.
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While out walking the dog this morning, a van belonging to a dog walking company containing a number of dogs stopped to collect another dog from one of the houses . The dogs in the van were not tethered and were jumping around in the back of the van and on the two front seats while the driver was out of the van. I shudder to think of the damage to those dogs if the driver had to stop suddenly in an emergency. I would have thought that professional dog walkers would have done more to protect the health and well being of any dogs in their charge.
K
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You can't let some people out by themselves. My dog is always restrained in the car.
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Being a responsible owner K, did you not take the vans reg number and report them to the police?
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As a caring dog owner. I will make sure that if I or any of my family ever have to use a dog walking service we won't ever use that one.
If those owners who use that service are happy with the way their dogs are treated, who are we to intervene. Only a clipe would stick their nose into other people's business. --- Sensible people don't.
K
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You did stick your nose into their business 'K' by being offended by it and thinking it important enough to comment on it, and rightly so.
A caring owner does not switch off to other instances where dogs may be injured by thoughtless actions, at the very least they should have been reported, if not the police then the SPCA or similar, then perhaps a visit from them would ensure the welfare of those animals in the future.
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Yo're not that caring then K....?...
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Well said M, my sentiments entirely
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Good post Kennyg - It is indeed the responsibility of every dog owner to ensure that their dog is restrained whenever it is travelling in a vehicle, not just because of financial penalties, but because they care for the well being and health of their dog. I always use a harness.
K
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Whilst I’m not denying the sense in restraining animals animals in vehicles, it does not actually seem to be law that we must do so. However, a breach of the Highway Code can be used as evidence of recklessness, or whatever, even if it is not law.
"Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST NOT’. In addition, the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence."
For the full explanation see -
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/introduction
"Rule 57
When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars."
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-about-animals-47-to-58
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A few years ago I attended a driver aware course - and the instructor advised us that a box of tissues on the back window ledge would turn into a brick in the event of an accident! I think he said to multiply a dog's weight by 10 if it hurtled forwards!
Thanks for the heads up re-insurance - my dogs are restrained in the back but I do occasionally have doggy passengers. Human passengers are also required to put their belts on too.
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or as it seems will as some do complain to others but not to report to those who can deal with the situations 
