Battersea has issued a stern warning to dog owners who may be unknowingly breaking the law when travelling with their pets in the car.
The animal rescue centre is imploring drivers to ensure their dogs are properly restrained while on the move, to prevent injury to both the driver and the pet in case of sudden stops.
Under the Highway Code, drivers could face a hefty fine of up to £5,000 and points on their licence for failing to secure an animal in a moving vehicle.
Not only that, but flouting these rules could also invalidate both car and pet insurance, blocking any successful claims should an accident occur.
This comes after a driver shared her terrifying experience on social media and said: « I rear-ended someone and I had my mum’s chihuahua on my lap when the air bag went off. I thought I killed him.
« The guy I hit came over to check on me because I couldn’t move because I thought I killed the dog. He was yelling through the window, ‘Are you alright?’ And all I could say is, ‘I don’t know what to do about the dog…’
« He was fine. We took him to the emergency vet and they did all the tests and he was fine. I got super lucky. I had nightmares about it for years.
« My dog was in the back seat, strapped into his car seat and was totally fine. I’m obviously still traumatised. »
Rob Bays, canine behaviour and training manager at Battersea, advised: « When in the car with your dog, it’s important that they are comfortable in their environment to reduce stress and anxiety, so familiarising your pet with your vehicle before embarking on a long journey will help them get used to travelling.
« It’s also important to ensure they are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you’re driving or injure you, or themselves, if you need to stop suddenly.
« A seat belt harness, pet carrier, pet crate or guard are all suitable ways to travel safely with your pet. »
Echoing this, Halfords issued a statement saying: « While the laws around having your dog in the car have changed over time, Rule 57 of the Highway Code currently states that dogs must be suitably restrained while inside the vehicle.
« This is to ensure the dog doesn’t distract the driver and is less likely to cause injury to themselves or others if the car stops quickly.
« The Highway Code doesn’t specifically state that a dog should wear a seat belt or a harness while in the car. However, it states that a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.
« The Highway Code also states that your dog can’t travel in the passenger seat as this is also more likely to cause driver distraction. It can be particularly dangerous if the car has a passenger airbag.
« If pet owners fail to adhere to any of these rules when their dog or another type of animal is in the car, it can be considered as ‘driving without due care and attention’ and could result in a £5,000 fine and even lead to a court appearance. »
