Just over a week ago, I was in one of those car accidents that remind you to slow down and not take life and health for granted. Not that I was speeding; a crash happened about 10 or more car lengths in front of me, and I managed to stop the car without hitting the mess in front – and so did the guy behind me – but the car behind both of us didn’t. We were hit from behind fairly hard. My car was banged up, and my passenger and I definitely felt some aftereffects of whiplash, but afterward, all I could think of was that I was so glad I didn’t have any dogs in the car. (Virtually all of my friends: “You didn’t have a dog with you??!”)
Not only do canine seat belts prevent dogs from being thrown through the car like a dangerous projectile in a car crash, they keep dogs from being flung out of the car onto the roadway – or escaping in a panic through broken windows immediately afterward. The accident was somehow confined to the middle lane of five lanes– and this being a big city on a Saturday afternoon, traffic continued to pour past the damaged and disabled cars on both sides, at least until the Highway Patrol came and stopped the traffic on the right two lanes so an ambulance, a fire truck, and several tow trucks could attend to the hurt drivers and disabled vehicles. If a dog had been thrown out of any of the crashed cars, or had escaped from one, the dog’s death under a passing car would have been the next horror to happen. Again, I didn’t even have a dog with me, but I can see that happening as clearly as I can see what actually did happen.
There are many online groups that have Facebook pages where members can share information about lost dogs, and at least a couple times a year, I see a post from someone who lost dogs in the chaos of a car crash and is hoping beyond hope that the dog will be found unhurt. But there’s nothing like your own crash, or one that happens to a friend, to remind you that protecting your dog is just as important as protecting your children and other loved ones in a car.
Let me be that friend. Buckle up those pups!
(And, yes, I’m gathering products for an updated review of canine seat belts and other car restraints.)
But what about very large breeds? I have three Borzois and there’s no way I could fit three crates large enough for Borzois in the back of my vehicle (all seats stowed under the floor). I’ve always had a barrier behind the driver’s seat to stop any forward movement and my vehicle has side air bags that go all the way back. I wouldn’t try to harness my Zois back there — I even remove all leashes because I don’t want them to become entangled. I’d like to hear from others who transport multiple large breed dogs…?
My 60 lb dog rides in the way back of my SUV. He would get carsick when I used a crate, so I stopped. Any of these belt systems work In cargo space behind back seat?
I’m also looking forward to an article reviewing car seat restraints for dogs!
A family friend was involved in a car crash coming home from a dog show several years ago. She had three dogs with her, and the only one who survived was in a crate. Our friend also died, as did a passenger, and my parents inherited the surviving dog, who had to have a pin put in her hip, but is otherwise fine.
Keep your dogs safe— in a crate, if possible. Unfortunately, I have a large dog whose crate doesn’t fit in our car. I always wonder if the harness I use is really that safe.
I would love to see a seatbelt review from WDJ. I’ve been using canine seatbelts for my dog for many years. I think I’ve purchased just about every type on the market. That includes the new ZugoPet, which is designed for small dogs only. ZugoPet performs excellent in crash tests, which is what drew me to purchasing it. However, I’ve heard conflicting information about the safety this style of seatbelt for the spine. It would be great to have someone dig deep on it. My favorite is RC Products Canine Friendly Vest Harness. I prefer the old fashioned harness they discontinued, to the newer model, but luckily I have several of the older ones too!!
Yes, please let us know if there are safe restraints. I really want to buy a smaller car but crates don’t fit in them.
How about a bumper sticker with a clever phrase to remind people to buckle up their pups? Every time I see a dog riding loose in the back of a pickup truck I want to rant at that driver.
I agree and the bumper sticker or magnet is a great idea!
I would love to see some reviews on the best doggy seat belts. Particularly if they were crash tested and the results. It would also be helpful to have some guidance on the recommended proper way to use the seat belts. How much length do you give them to keep hem safe but still allow movement for comfort (particularly for those long car rides).
You can see reviews, go to the Center for Pet Safety. They have crash tested harnesses and crates. One item to look out for when reading about products, a lot will say crash tested but that doesn’t mean it passed the test. As you mentioned belts, those straps that tether a dog are not safe. You need a harness and to anchor it with the seat belt. We use the Sleepy Pod. It’s a great harness but in my view, I’d rather see a V neck than U. The material is solid so when my dog laid down, the harness ‘rode up’ and pushed into her neck. I pulled the stichting from the top seam and trimmed the material – NOTE I can see the safety webbing and have not touched it – the harness is much more comfortable now.
That’s the test site where I found the Allsafe harness test report. It didn’t do as well as the Sleepypod, but it performed very well when I had to do a low speed emergency stop and my dog seems comfy and loves car rides. I keep the attachment strap as short as possible and always check the seat belt is firmly locked.
Last time I looked, crash tests of dog seatbelt restraints showed that most or all caused horrendous injuries to dogs in a crash.That’s right, the RESTRAINT caused the injury–strangulation was one of the injuries to the dog dummy.
I HOPE dog car restraints have improed since then.
I use crash-tested crates and am fanatical about using them. But they won’t fit in any of the electric cars currently available, so I would love to find harnesses that help and don’t harm.
That’s what I’ve read, too. I was disappointed that this article didn’t address the safety of these products.
I use an Allsafe harness, which is the only successfully crash tested harness I could get in France. I also have a hammock type seat protector, because my dog gets car sick, which also ensures he couldn’t fall into the foot well if the harness or seat belt stretched. Because he’s a funny (slim) shape, he has to use the medium size, which is only for dogs up to 12kg, though he’s 20kg. I phoned the manufacturer in Germany and they were really helpful and posted me an extra steel carabiner for free, to reinforce the attachment to the seat belt.
we’ve been crating or buckling our dogs, and cats in crates, since about 1997. nj finally made it law around 2012…harness buckled up or crated AND no dogs hanging out windows or in back of pick up trucks (wow, can not get over people doing that)….sadly many people break the law…the fines are stiff, $1000., cruelty charges and possibly six months in jail…if caught…
a couple years ago i was talking to a shelter volunteer who did not know it was law. i was surprised the shelter doesn’t know the law and therefore doesn’t tell the adopters…
Lynn, I used to live in FL and we tried so hard to get a similar law passed. I CRINGE when I see a pick up truck going by with dogs in the back. As far as I know, they haven’t outlawed it but I moved from there so maybe it changed.
This should be a law in every state!
Unfortunately I had a friend whose dog died in a car accident, thrown thru the car and died from internal injuries. It happened long before I even owned my first dog. As you can imagine, from the moment I brought my first pup home to this day I am fanatical about dog seat belts. I’ve converted my husband and many friends to always use restraints for their dogs. Sure it takes a few extra minutes to get everyone buckled in but so worth the peace of mind while driving.
Absolutely. Every time. Just as you wouldn’t allow your kids to ride unbuckled, neither should you allow it for your dogs.