Pet seatbelts should be made compulsory, says survey
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A survey carried out by Pets Corner found that of 700 people questioned 68% of them believe pet seatbelts should be compulsory for animals travelling in a vehicle if they are not restrained by other suitable means – such as a pet carrier – and 66% agreed that a dog guard isn’t enough to maintain an animal’s safety.
According to research carried out by the RAC, 4% of pet owners (2% dog and 2% cat) have had an accident, or a near miss, as a result of a cat or dog being loose in their car and one in four ‘break the law’ by not restraining their dogs whilst transporting them in a vehicle.
The Highway Code states that dogs or other animals should be suitably restrained in a vehicle so that they don’t distract the driver or injure the animal if the vehicle stops quickly. However, it also states that a dog guard is one way to restrain an animal – something Pets Corner believes is somewhat of a grey area for animal owners.
Lucy Ross, Head of Training at Pets Corner, said: “It is estimated that in a 30mph collision, an unrestrained dog can be thrown forward with the force equivalent to a small elephant. We recommend that pets should always be secured with a suitable seat belt harness or appropriate pet carrier or crate. A dog guard isn’t enough as it still allows pets to move freely meaning that there’s a risk the animal could be seriously injured or killed in the event of an accident.
“Allowing your pet to be loose in the car can also make it more anxious, which could be incredibly distracting for the driver. Other road users may also be distracted if a dog is, say, hanging its head out of the car or moving around in the back of a vehicle.”
Managing Director at Pets Corner Dean Richmond added: “Pet owners shouldn’t forget about the safety of their pet when travelling in the car. Their pet is part of the family and it makes sense to think about keeping them as safe as their owners by ensuring they are secure during the journey.”
For more information visit www.petscorner.co.uk/petopedia/travelling-with-pets
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