Should Pets Be Required to Wear a Seat Belt?
SodaHead Living
2012/06/11 19:39:13
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278 votes
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469 votes
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Hmm ... we've never really thought about this one before. Should owners have to buckle up their pets in the car, or face a hefty fine? In New Jersey, penalties for driving with an unrestrained pet range from $250 to $1,000 and as much as six months in jail, NorthJersey.com reports.
"That’s for each offense," Col. Frank Rizzo, police superintendent for the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, told reporters. "So, if you have more than one animal loose in your car, just do the math…"
The New Jersey statute defines unrestrained pets in cars as animal cruelty. Some pet owners use small cages, but most buy seats and harnesses that attach directly to existing seat belts, NorthJersey.com reports. However, a 2010 survey conducted by the American Automobile Association showed that 20 percent of those polled allow their dogs to sit on their laps while they drive. And nearly one-third of the respondents admitted that unrestrained pets are distracting.
“Some people tell us they like to let their pets hang their heads out the window to take in the fresh air," Rizzo said, "but dogs and cats become projectiles in a crash." Do you think people should be forced to buckle up their pets?
“Some people tell us they like to let their pets hang their heads out the window to take in the fresh air," Rizzo said, "but dogs and cats become projectiles in a crash." Do you think people should be forced to buckle up their pets?
Top Opinion
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Yes
+19I tie my dog up in the passenger seat or the back seat cause she'll try and jump in my lap (this is no purse dog, this is a 65-70lbs adult black lab, who still thinks she's a puppy) She could obstruct my view! Very dangerous. And for the safety of the dog too, if in a car accident I'd hate to think of my poor girl to fly out the window and getting hurt worst!
Dogs love hanging their heads out the window don't take that away from them!!!
1) When it's just me and my dog in the car, I ALWAYS belt him in, JUST in case we are in an accident. I don't want my dog running lose or interfering with paramedics in case they have to help me out of my car.
2) If my sister is driving my car, all three of our dogs want to sit on her lap (SPECIAL MAGIC LAP.........). I hold on to my dog, and push the other two dogs in the back seat, so that they don't interfere with the gear shift, hand brake or steering wheel.
3) And once, when I was driving, I didn't belt-in my dog. While sitting at a red light, this big guy came up to my car and started pounding on my car. (my window was open) He was demanding money from me. I jumped and tried to close the window. Next thing I knew, my dog came flying across from the front passenger seat and started barking at the guy, just as he started to grab my arm. The big guy jumped back, and I was able to close my window. My dog was able to scare the creep off. My dog protected me.
Dogs riding in the back of a truck should be safely belted in for their own safety.
As for dogs sitting in the back seat of a vehicle, I'm not sure. Are we talking about in the event of an acciden...
1) When it's just me and my dog in the car, I ALWAYS belt him in, JUST in case we are in an accident. I don't want my dog running lose or interfering with paramedics in case they have to help me out of my car.
2) If my sister is driving my car, all three of our dogs want to sit on her lap (SPECIAL MAGIC LAP.........). I hold on to my dog, and push the other two dogs in the back seat, so that they don't interfere with the gear shift, hand brake or steering wheel.
3) And once, when I was driving, I didn't belt-in my dog. While sitting at a red light, this big guy came up to my car and started pounding on my car. (my window was open) He was demanding money from me. I jumped and tried to close the window. Next thing I knew, my dog came flying across from the front passenger seat and started barking at the guy, just as he started to grab my arm. The big guy jumped back, and I was able to close my window. My dog was able to scare the creep off. My dog protected me.
Dogs riding in the back of a truck should be safely belted in for their own safety.
As for dogs sitting in the back seat of a vehicle, I'm not sure. Are we talking about in the event of an accident or these backseated dogs hampering the driver?
As I said, for ME, I prefer to belt in my dog when it's just the two of us. The time my dog saved me, I hope will NEVER, EVER happen again!
Then you have "Service Dogs." Should they be required to be belted in too?
I think each pet owner needs to think what is best for his/her own pet, while they are driving their car.
(It's against the law to use your cell phone and drive in Hawaii, but I've seen drivers talking and driving: $90.00 fine IF they are caught by police)
I even had to have three steroid injections in my left elbow, so I could carry my "little" Chihuahua/Terrier."
Now, if I had a Lab, my arms would reach the floor, trying to carry him!!!!!
Pets need to be restrained for safety, but they need restraints designated specificly for
them. They need to be designed to safely restrain the pet with minimal discomfort to the
pet, and keep the same from wiggling loose and escaping. Dogs and cats need safety
restraints designed to keep dogs and cats safe. People restraints aren't sutiable for dogs
or cats. A cat or dog needs to either wear a suitable harness fitted specificly to the same,
or ride in a good sturdy and secure pet carrier. Either of these can then be secured with
most regular human safety restraints. Also make sure to take any airbags into account,
so they don't jepordize the safety and well being of your beloved pet. the New Jersey
law is a textbook case in point of too many state legislatures. New Jersey is one of
several states with a bad reputation for having a nanny government. Their law regarding
automotive safety for pets is definately too vegue and narrow minded. As usual, the state
is taking a reactive approach to an issue when much better legislation would result from a
proactive approach to this issue. This is by no means a first blunder for New Jersey. Take
a good look at their law tabooing self service at gas statio...
Pets need to be restrained for safety, but they need restraints designated specificly for
them. They need to be designed to safely restrain the pet with minimal discomfort to the
pet, and keep the same from wiggling loose and escaping. Dogs and cats need safety
restraints designed to keep dogs and cats safe. People restraints aren't sutiable for dogs
or cats. A cat or dog needs to either wear a suitable harness fitted specificly to the same,
or ride in a good sturdy and secure pet carrier. Either of these can then be secured with
most regular human safety restraints. Also make sure to take any airbags into account,
so they don't jepordize the safety and well being of your beloved pet. the New Jersey
law is a textbook case in point of too many state legislatures. New Jersey is one of
several states with a bad reputation for having a nanny government. Their law regarding
automotive safety for pets is definately too vegue and narrow minded. As usual, the state
is taking a reactive approach to an issue when much better legislation would result from a
proactive approach to this issue. This is by no means a first blunder for New Jersey. Take
a good look at their law tabooing self service at gas stations. Another example of nanny
government's reactive approach to an issue when a proactive approach would be much
more beneficial to all concerned.