Last week, I shared some stories about unsecured dogs in vehicles and what can go wrong, hoping I could encourage anyone whose dog rides loose in a vehicle to reconsider that decision—for their dog’s safety and for their own. I heard more stories since my plea was published, and I share those with you now . . . just in case you’re not convinced yet to secure your dog.
I asked one simple question: Tell me about something bad that happened because a dog was unsecured in a vehicle.
Cherie Marshall (Washington) Guilty . . . I let my dogs ride in the car unrestrained until fairly recently. I thought they’d enjoy the ride so much more, free in the car. It would be a treat for them to look around unrestrained. This came to an abrupt end when [my dog] Fred discovered that if he pushed down on a button, the window would roll down.
I’m driving along and, out of the blue, the window in the back seat is rolling down. All that is going through my mind is, “No, that window can not be rolled down—Fred could jump out!!” Nearly in a panic, I had visions of Fred jumping out the window and of course either hurting himself with the drop to the ground, or being run over by the car behind me, or running off full-speed to investigate the world. None of these scenarios was good. I eventually came to my senses when it dawned on me that Fred was pushing the button to roll down the window! I had child-safety options I could set so he could not do that.
That evening ended “free riding in the car” with the installation of a kennel, well secured with tie-downs to be sure it does not move or shift. That is now where Fred (the window roller) rides. It was shocking when the window “mysteriously” started rolling down and I’m in the thick of traffic. Geez, I should have known—FRED!
Dennis Haskins (Washington) Our Molly found the window button in the back seat and leaned on it until the motor burned out.
Katt Patt (Washington) We had not had our large fluffy shepherd mix very long before taking him in the back of our full-size truck. He had traveled five or six times before in the back without incident, until he stood on the inner wheel well when we turned a corner. Out he fell. This was a truck running 33” tires, so the fall was about five feet. We were extremely lucky that no one was following us to run him over, and that he didn’t injure himself falling onto the pavement. After that, we bolted an eye hook in the middle of the truck bed, toward the cab. Any dog in the back of the truck can put their head over the rail, but not stand on the wheel well nor on the sides of the truck bed.
Photo by Cherie Marshall — Fred
Dae Grodin (Kentucky) One client told me about their golden retriever, who was sitting in the car leaning against the door. The door was apparently not closed well, and she rolled out of the car. Luckily, they were not going fast.
Ann Marie Danimus (Washington) My baby almost caused an accident because I had just adopted him from his life on the street and he was very attached to me. I put him in the back seat and, as soon as I got on the road, he climbed into the front seat on my lap and nearly caused an accident. He was a 140-pound Labrador who thought he was a baby kitten. I then put him behind a gate, and once had to slam on the brakes. He, of course, rattled around the back of the car. So I then put cross-ties on him and blankets and he had a much safer ride. I was a first-time dog owner, so I had to learn it one step at a time.
Terry Shackleton (British Columbia) Ugh, a huge pet peeve of mine. I haven’t found any stats, but I have spoken several times to people driving or as a passenger with dogs in their laps. What happens if the airbag goes off? It can happen even in a minor accident.
Chris Walker Chorvat (Washington) My ex-girlfriend hit the brakes, and her puppy got eye damage that was unable to be fixed.
Laura Bourhenne (California) My friend’s ex-boyfriend always drove with one of his dogs sitting on his lap. Last year, he was in an accident and the airbag caused so much injury to her that she had to be put to sleep. The other dogs that were loose in the car were also severely injured.
Leslie Woodfill (Washington) I saw a dog fall out of the back of a pickup. Most disturbing thing ever. Makes me so angry.
Kimberly Hall (Massachusetts) My nephew was in a bad accident with a smashed window. His chihuahua leaped out into traffic, instantly getting run over in front of him. He was devastated. I leave my leashes on my dogs when I’m driving (not parked), but they aren’t in crates. The back is lower than my seat and there’s a nylon divider so unless I flipped, they wouldn’t come into the front seat. I worry about them if they’re in the way-back of my hatchback because I could be rear-ended.
D Elizabeth Hannan (United Kingdom) My mum’s best friend’s brother was killed in a car accident because an unsecured dog jumped on the other driver’s lap.
Jane Finneran (North Carolina) Years ago, a friend was in an awful accident and injured very badly, but she said the worst part was that her two dachshunds were killed. My dogs have been in crates or seat belts ever since.
Shannon Thier (California) One day I had to pick up something from a local store and I left Pongo unsecured in my SUV, with the keys in, car on, and the A/C running. Next thing I know, I come out of the store and my SUV is gone! I prayed that Pongo had jumped out when the thief stole the car. I was in a complete panic. Then lo and behold, the SUV comes barreling around the corner of the parking lot back toward me, blasting “Spirit of Radio” by RUSH. Turns out that damn dog took the SUV for a joy ride to get burgers while I was in the store. The worst part? She didn’t even get me one! I started securing her after that.
On a serious note, one day Pongo was in my front seat, unsecured. I was driving about 70 on the highway, and a huge Ram 350 cut us off, then immediately slammed on his brakes. I slammed on mine and Pongo flew forward into the dash. Her left front paw threw my car into reverse while we were going 70 mph. It was terrifying. I flung my arm in front of her to minimize her propelling forward, and that at least prevented her head from hitting the glass. She was totally fine, thankfully, but it could’ve been much, much worse had I not gotten my arm quickly in front of her head as I was braking. I was really shaken up for the better part of a week, thinking how much worse it could’ve been. Still makes me shudder to think about, and it was almost ten years ago. My SUV paid the price for that one, though. Definitely not recommended to be in reverse at 70 mph. And definitely not recommended to have had Pongo in the front seat, unsecured.
SleepyPods are the safest-rated harnesses. A great link for your readers would be www.centerforpetsafety.org. They do all sorts of crash testing with a variety of “car safety” harnesses (and crates and booster seats) on dummy dogs. With the vast majority of all harnesses, you’d be amazed how many dogs can be paralyzed, killed, even beheaded, if you need to brake fast even at 30 mph (the speed at which they test). (I notice they removed the beheaded harnesses videos from the site. Really hard to watch, even with a fake dog.)
CPS is not affiliated with any products tested. Completely third party. The 2011 pilot-study videos are hard to watch. Go to this link to watch some scary crash-test videos comparing harnesses (don’t worry, the dog is fake). It also tells you what harnesses are not recommended. These tests are done frequently, even though the page says 2013.
And this is their 2018 wrap-up and 2019 plans:
Coverage of a recent collision involving two dogs:
