Planning a driving trip to California? Better get a doggie seat belt if your tiny friend is going to accompany you for the ride. California has passed the nation's first mandatory dog seat belt law in the nation.
It's a common practice among dog owners - taking our furry friend along when we travel by car is becoming easier, especially since motels and hotels are becoming "little dog friendly." Dogs can be spotted with their head hanging out the car window or perched on their owners lap, taking in the view, barking at passers-by or working the steering wheel. Just as people complain about a driver's lack of concentration because they are on a cell phone, having a dog running loose in the car can be a deadly distraction.
Ever slammed on the brakes while driving and feel the force forward? Imagine turning your pet into a flying projectile through the front windshield. Or perhaps, it has already happened to your dog. Every year hundreds of dogs are injured, maimed or killed in car accidents. Just one vet in Colorado reported in 1998 he treated 91 dogs with car-related injuries - 13 died. Multiply that by hundreds of vets in the US. The numbers are staggering.
Small dogs are just as at risk as larger dogs when it comes to running loose in the car. Sure, we seatbelt our children safely into car seats. But the idea of harnessing our dog into the car also has just come into the forefront.
A recent surge of manufacturers producing doggie seatbelts has brought the choices from none to dozens in a 2 year period. The dilemma, for little dog owners - those dogs that weigh under 10 pounds - is that most doggie seat belts are for larger animals. Many list the weight range starting with 12 pounds. A safety harness that fits a child incorrectly is dangerous for that child. The same is true for a small dog. If an accident were to occur and his seat belt not fitted correctly, your pet may sustain internal injuries, be choked or crushed by its own weight upon impact.
It is important to select a belt that fits your pet properly. There are belts for smaller dogs listed on the Internet and pet stores can often special order the proper harness size for your little dog. Be certain that you confirm that if the belt does not fit your dog properly, you will be able to return it for a full refund. Some stores, because it is a special order, will require a deposit up front and may have an "all sales final" on special orders. If your pet store has those restrictions, go to another pet store. You pet's safety requires properly fitted equipment.
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