PUBLIC OPINION > Pets Should Not Be Required to Wear Seat Belts
SodaHead Living
2012/06/13 21:00:00
New Jersey recently passed a law making it illegal to have unrestrained animals in the car. That means if you want to take your pooch to your parents, you'll have to figure out a way to strap it in. Failure to do so is now classified as animal cruelty, and could run residents up to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail. But penalties aside, we asked the public if pets should be required to wear a seat belt in the first place.
There was a variety of reasons for and against the law, but ultimately most people agreed that they didn't want the state telling them how to handle it. Some people have ways of transporting their pets that don't involve restraints, and have been using them for years -- moving the seats, holding them in their lap, etc. Some are comfortable restraining their pets, but don't want to be caught off-guard on a short trip. It's not a major issue, but government involvement seems a little unnecessary here.
Libertarians Don't Like It
As expected, politics played a central role in this discussion. The primary issue is not so much the logic behind the law as it is the fact that it had to be turned into one. Especially with the major penalties New Jersey is placing on it. Progressives, on the other hand, see value in the heavy-handed approach, arguing that the law will make sure people don't put their pets at risk.
As expected, politics played a central role in this discussion. The primary issue is not so much the logic behind the law as it is the fact that it had to be turned into one. Especially with the major penalties New Jersey is placing on it. Progressives, on the other hand, see value in the heavy-handed approach, arguing that the law will make sure people don't put their pets at risk.Girls Give Support
Women were about 11% more likely than men to agree with the law. It's not much to go by, but maybe it's their nurturing side that makes them a little more sensitive to the needs of animals. Or maybe it's that small percent of women who dress their dogs in sweaters who think it would be cute to see a puppy in a car seat.
Women were about 11% more likely than men to agree with the law. It's not much to go by, but maybe it's their nurturing side that makes them a little more sensitive to the needs of animals. Or maybe it's that small percent of women who dress their dogs in sweaters who think it would be cute to see a puppy in a car seat.Older Voters' Opinions Vary
From the youngest voters, all the way up through about 45 years old, support hovered around 38%. However, after that, percents fluctuated. It wasn't for lack of sample size, either, as volume was consistent throughout. Voters between 45 and 55 only showed 25% support, while voters between 55 and 65 showed 45%. It may have something to do with who's responsible for strapping the animals in.
From the youngest voters, all the way up through about 45 years old, support hovered around 38%. However, after that, percents fluctuated. It wasn't for lack of sample size, either, as volume was consistent throughout. Voters between 45 and 55 only showed 25% support, while voters between 55 and 65 showed 45%. It may have something to do with who's responsible for strapping the animals in.If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about pets and seat belts. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
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Vitalani 2012/06/14 00:21:11
+16It's sad that people think this is just about animals jumping all over the car and causing accidents. most accidents are cause by PEOPLE not animals. The reason I think this should be a law is because it is in the best interest of the ANIMAL. You buckle up your kids? Buckle up your dog. If that idea confuses you then you don't deserve to have one. Simple.
And I agree. If people did what was obvious and based on common sense then many laws would not be needed. And because these concepts are based in common sense these laws should not exist.
It's funny, I just realized how much humanity has f***ed with evolution in order for this to happen. In a perfect world, the superior animal would win out and you would remain without having had children. Unfortunately, your hereditary stupidity is being passed on to your children, and then their children, forming a cycle of dumb.
DUI is different. The is an actual immediate threat to others. Seatbelt laws only exist as a way for governments to get money. Nothing more.
BTW. I don't violate traffic laws.
Our pets could also be the cause of a vehicle accident wen unsecured. They can distract us from our driving by jumping in front of our view, jumping down where the gas and brake pedals are, trying to get out of a window, and getting into something that we do not want them in. We may feel that our pets would never behave like that ( either because they never have acted like that before or they are su...
Our pets could also be the cause of a vehicle accident wen unsecured. They can distract us from our driving by jumping in front of our view, jumping down where the gas and brake pedals are, trying to get out of a window, and getting into something that we do not want them in. We may feel that our pets would never behave like that ( either because they never have acted like that before or they are supposed to be really well trained ) the real question to ask ourselves is "can we promise ourselves beyond a shadow of a doubt that our pets will not act like an animal? We tend to humanize our pets but the fact is that they are animals.
There are many ways to secure our pets in a vehicle. Crating is one of the best methods ( as long as it's secured correctly ) because it also helps protect our pets from loose flying objects. There are harnesses that work with the seat belts to secure them and keep them where they belong and keeps them from flying into an object in case of an accident or sudden stop. There are many types and styles of these harnesses at both pet stores and online. We can get barriers to keep our pets from having free roam in the vehicle which would be better than nothing but they do not stop the pet from flying into an object. Holding our pets in our arms is not effective at all. If a pet wants out ( of an open window ) they are going to go if they want out badly enough. If we get into an accident our mind and body is going to react to protect itself and not our pet. That means either our pet can slip through our arms and hit what is in front of them or we could actually crush them ourselves. Pets do tend to feel more at ease when they are secured properly.
If we are in an accident our pets could get out and get hit by a car, bite someone, get injured, or run away and never be found. If our pet does not allow a paramedic to get to us a police officer may be forced to shoot our pet. It is better financially and emotionally to find a way to secure our pet than pay for a ticket, vet bill, or deal with our pets death.
Please, we need to consider our pet(s) when we take them places in a vehicle. When we brought our pets into our lives we agree to love them, feed them, and care for them. protecting them from harm is supposed to be part of our agreement for caring for them.