Police: Drivers are putting their dogs in danger

Monday 30 October 2017

Jersey Police are urging dog owners to make sure their pets are safe in the car - or they could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.

In a Facebook post, they warned that having a dog sit on your lap, hanging out of an open window or bound about inside the vehicle, could put him in danger.

Rule 57 of the Highway Code says, "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."

The Police elaborated on the stance saying: "We would discourage people from driving if their dogs are not restrained in some way within the vehicle. Any animal within a vehicle can present a danger if it is allowed to obstruct your view or hinder your ability to have full control of the vehicle, which would potentially leave you liable to offences under the road traffic law.

"Not only is it dangerous for the occupants of the vehicle and other road users but it also puts the animal itself at risk from injury in the event that you have to brake suddenly. Please think carefully about the best way to secure your animal for the safety of everyone concerned."

Zeffrienne D'Ulivo Rogers, has been working with animals for over six years: "Dogs can be very distracting for someone who is driving and sometimes this can make things very dangerous. Dogs loose around the car can knock the gear stick, try to get the driver's attention and even make attempts to get out of the window! All these things are not only a danger for the dog and driver but for other people on and around the roads."

To keep four legged-friends out of harm during car journeys, she suggests keeping them in a secure crate, which has the added advantage to allow the driver to open the car without the dog flying out, or attaching them by the seatbelt. "This is a good tool to use for people without boots or for dogs who like to sit on the front seat. This however needs to be attached onto the dog’s harness and not by the collar to avoid damage to the neck if the the car was to stop suddenly. Be careful though, some dogs may be able to chew their way out!"

Pictured: If your pup doesn't like being in the boot, there are other options to keep him safe.

There is also the option of a dog guard, which is better for larger dogs who need more space. It keeps them enclosed within the boot of the car but means that they can jump out when the boot door is opened. More unusual is the "doggy booster seat," "They are designed for small dogs and are essentially like little baskets you can fasten into the seat and put your dog in, they also often have hooks so you can attach the dog inside the basket."

While all those tips may help prevent any accidents or serious injury, Ms D'Ulivo Rogers says dog owners should also think about who the dog is with in the car. She explains: "I am more concerned about this than I am about the dog's placement, whether in the boot, crate or with a seatbelt. Having lots of dogs together in a confined space is dangerous no matter how friendly they are or how well they know each other. It only takes one dog to accidentally stand on another’s tail and for that dog to react and all dogs could start to fight within seconds.

"Not only is this very dangerous for the dogs but could easily cause a crash. I think putting dogs into this situation can cause them so much stress, kind of like getting on the last train of the evening which is packed- it's unpleasant for everyone. I think it is very important to have lots of space between the dogs, so they have room to lie down without being on top of another dog."

For the dog walker, making sure car journeys are safe is non-negotiable and something all owners and drivers should be mindful of. "I like to think the car ride should be enjoyable for both dog and owner but at the same time it needs to be kept safe. You wouldn’t let your child run about the car with no seatbelt, so why is your dog?"