Discussions

So lately I've seen a lot of people driving around town and even on the highway with their dogs hanging out the window. Never gave it any thought, but then recently I was talking to a relative who's a volunteer firefighter in a small community and he was saying quite often they respond to accidents where pets are injured because they are moving freely in the vechile and get thrown around on impact. He was also saying there was a serious accident caused because a dog got into the feet of a driver and they became distracted and crossed the Center line.  
 
So it got me thinking, why do people let their pets move freely in the vechile? You wouldn't allow your kids or passengers to move freely, so why your pet? Just want some insight.

It is not exactly safe for a loose animal in a vehicle, even in a kennel or enclosure of some kind. A high velocity impact could severely injure or kill them. However, it is not always feasible to restrain an animal in a vehicle.  
 
The people I have the most problem with are the ones who allow their lap dog to sit in their lap while driving. Any sudden stop and that dog is caught between you and the steering wheel. It is also very distracting as well as physically limiting to the driver. My opinion is that a person driving with an animal in their lap should get the same fine as a person on their cell phone.  
 
Unless you purchase a vehicle restraint harness, you are putting your furry family member''s life in danger. I''m not even sure if I have ever seen one in Brandon.... do they exist??? lol  
 
Edited by Cee Jay 55, 2016-05-04 22:35:51

This has been a pet peeve of mine for years!! I just don't understand why anyone would risk it. The pet could be hurt, could be thrown out of the vehicle and hurt another person, the driver could be hurt, etc etc.  
 
A pet (or a child) roaming around the car is a distraction and a safety hazard....drivers should be ticketed for such IMO.  
 
If it's an emergency and you need to take your pet to the vet, I can understand that (but you should still plan for this and have something in place) but it's the every day drive around town with a loose pet that I think is dangerous and should be stopped.

drivers having their dog seat on them should have a ticket. It can't be safe driving and have your dog sit on you

Using a kennel is the safest. But there are also harnesses and seatbelt clips that can be purchased that clip onto the harness to keep your dog in the back seat. Should never have the dog in the front seat in case the airbag deploys. Your pet would be seriously injured or worse killed.  
 
Just one more common sense thing that people seem to lack.

Just last week I saw a lady driving with her dog in her lap, and he was moving around and licking her as if to get her attention...and it wasn't a small dog by any means. He was quite big. How is that not a safety concern?! I just don't get it...IMO it's just as dangerous as having your cell in your hand. It's a DISTRACTION!!

Thank you!  
I've been saying this for years!! Lol!  
My dog has a harness and is buckled in to a seat belt. I've been made fun of at dog parks!!  
People ask if the harness is a heart monitor, if my dog bites because she has a harness, or if the harness is of any warning at all.  
Owners at the dog park on Victoria east have flat out told me that was the silliest thing they've heard of.  
I feel if you're driving the "rush hour" speed with your dog and you have to break fast your dog feels it more than you do.

I always buckle my pets in if i have to take them in a vehicle. They make doggy seatbelts and i have used them in the past. Now i only have small petd but they always get buckled in in their carrier. Id rather not risk it.

I read not too long ago where a young woman was killed when her small dog was flown from the back window and hit her in the head in a collision. Dog was merely injured.  
 
I don't tie my small dog up when we drive, but she is made to lay on the floor.(I have bucket seats so there is no issue of her coming over and getting under my feet)  
 
She used to ride on the seat beside me but a couple of years ago a woman ran a stop sign and t-boned me - the dog fell on to the floor. She was not injured but really freaked out.  
 
Yes, they are a distraction and a potential projectile.  
 
I recall a "Canada's Worst Driver" season that had a woman from Alberta who always drove with dogs, a cat AND a bird on her shoulder. It wasn't until they showed her how distracting they really were on camera that she got it. Hope she has not gone back to her distracted ways....