Seatbelt Law for Dogs?

[Cheetah]

I've been reading about how a couple states in the US are proposing dog seatbelt/restraining laws. If they become actual laws, people will be required to seatbelt, crate, etc. their dog in the car. They'll have to go out and buy a seatbelt harness, or fit a crate in the car somehow. If they were caught not using a dog seatbelt etc., they'd be fined. Many people think this is inconvenient, and say their dogs are very well-trained and won't come up into the front seat or be distracting in the car. Others say that it's a good safety measure because it will keep the dog from flying through the windshield and/or killing themselves or people in the car, or falling out the windows, etc.

What if a dog seatbelt law were to be passed where you live? What would your opinion on this be?

[manatee]

hmm... welll I guess it's a good safety mesure, but I guess for people and dogs it isn't very convenient. My dog just sleeps in the back the whole time, but sometimes I see other people have their dog jumping all around the car AND all over the driver, which I hate seeing, so seatbelts may be good.

[jessicalawes11]

I agree with manatee.

Our dog just lies down in the trunk, and will occasionally sit up to look at us all. Creepy like. Anyway, she never sits in the back seat, and would probably be scared to even go in the front. But yes, I have seen familes in cars where the dog is leaping all over them, which is a hazard in itself for the driver and such-like. So it could be a good thing, but I don't think it's a smart idea to have it punishable by law - In that way, people won't have a choice to keep their dog in the trunk, and I'd like to see someone stuff my huge Labrador in a crate.

[Breakaway Kennels]

I guess it would depend on the dog and owner. My Borders sit completely still. Not moving at all unless they're turning around. But I don't have issues with mine!

I think the law would be ok. Although, I see no problem in not having one.

[Kick-flare the insane newbie]

I have to agree with putting seatbelts on dogs.

I have two border collies myself, although they fairly well behaved, my youngest (insane) collie insists on getting fussed from the driver while he drives, and if we put him in the boot he tries to jump over the seats. (we have no dog crate or grill covering)

To be honest I think the law should apply in the UK too.

[Cheetah]

I would seatbelt them just because of the fact that no matter how well-trained a dog is, it can still fly through a windshield during an accident if it's not restrained. I'm on the hunt for a harness that I can attach to the hooks in the back of an SUV/hatchback type vehicle, since that's what I drive, and Eevee goes in the very back there.

[Kelila]

We keep our dogs in the very back of our van, and they don't cause problems. One's a Great Pyrenees, one's a bc/chow mix, and one's a beagle. The beagle's the only one that might get into trouble because she can crawl under the seats, but she usually just sits still once we get moving.

On another note, we were driving down the highway once and we saw a dog tied with a rope in the back of a pickup. I was horrified to see the dog suddenly leap out of the truck bed and drag along the highway (at 60 M.P.H.!!!!!) before the rope finally broke. As we drove away, I could see the owner jump out of the stopped truck and bend over his unconcious dog. It was terrible. A crate could definitely save the life of a dog.

[Cheetah]

It sure would. That owner probably didn't have the dog properly tied... I'm guessing he was tied with one rope, by his neck? That's not the proper way. >X.x;<

My dad used to sneak my dog into the back of his pickup when I still lived at home. We had so many arguments about that. Now that I'm on my own, she'll never see another truck bed again. >O\/o<

[Kelila]

Yeah, one rope, I think it was tied to the dog's collar.

[Cheetah]

Ahh... Ideally I think the dog should be restrained with two ties... one on each side of the truck bed... enough for the dog to move a little, but not to fall over either side. And a harness would probably be better. That is, if people really HAVE to toss their dogs into the back of a truck lmao...

[Breakaway Kennels]

Yeah. We had to do it once when I had my black lab. I had him tied twice and he was tied in the MIDDLE of the truck. So he wasn't close to either side. It wasn't the best thing to do, and I argued sooo much with my dad on this. But we had nowhere else to stick him.

Now that I have my car, the dogs are in the back seat with their own seat cover. xD Except for Frankie, my dachshund always rides shot gun.

[Kishi Kat]

My dog has one of those nifty harnesses that has an adjustable piece which snaps into the seatbelt latch.

It's really handy, not because she jumps all over the place, but because she INSISTS on sitting on my lap and I don't appreciate it all the time. So she sits in the back and gives me the eyeball.

I have to say that I think a seatbelt law for dogs has the potential to be a good thing.

[Breakaway Kennels]

Hmm. Do you remember where you bought that and how much it was? *Interested*

[Kishi Kat]

Well, I got it from a small shop in my area. I THINK it was about $12, but my dog is a smallish type.

Ah ha!

Here you are:

www.dog.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=330421%20XS&srccodeSHOPPING

It's very sturdy and the harness can stay on the dog while you're out. (So you don't have to keep putting it on and taking it off or changing to a different one for walking, etc.)

[Breakaway Kennels]

Oh awesome! I must get some of these! XD