Traveling with Pets
By Scott Perry
A dog is man’s best friend is a well-known statement, a true belief for many. As man’s best friend, dogs and other pets typically go for a ride in the car. This is true whether it is a trip to the park, the vet, Starbucks, or on a long road trip. The questions you have to ask are, how safe is your pet and how safe are you?
According to recent studies, many pets are allowed to roam freely in the car or even sit on an occupant’s lap. This can be dangerous not only for the pet, but also the occupants of the car. Even a small pet can become a flying missile inside of the car in the event of a crash, which could injure the pet and any occupant inside the car the pet hits.
Some people do strap their pets down using “doggy seat-belts,” but testing reveals many of these units either fail to protect the pet from injury or merely just fail to restrain the pet. While the test results may be early, one should always be cautious when driving with a pet in the car. The life you save may be yours or man’s best friend.
If you or a love one have been hurt in an auto accident, consult an attorney to learn about your rights and how you and your loved ones can be kept safe.