PDSA urges drivers to 'buckle up' their pets

Leading veterinary charity, PDSA, is urging pet owners to put safety first this winter by ‘buckling’ their four-legged friends securely into their car whilst on the road.

The advice follows the recent case of a Tyneside motorist, convicted and fined £300 after being caught on CCTV driving with his pet dog on his lap. The judge’s decision highlights the dangers of leaving pets unsecured in a vehicle. By being allowed to roam and distract the driver’s attention from the road, they are not only endangering themselves but other passengers and pedestrians, says PDSA.

Pets that aren’t ‘buckled up’ don’t just cause accidents – they can make them much worse. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, if a car travelling at 30mph crashes containing an unrestrained Border Collie (22kg), the dog would hurtle forward with a force equivalent to a polar bear!

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley, says: “Securing your pet whilst driving can prevent accidents or help to avoid serious injuries in the event of a crash.

“For human and pet safety alike, PDSA believes the best way to keep safe while travelling is to invest in a pet seat belt or carrier.”

Pet seat belts or harnesses are ideal for medium or larger sized dogs. They secure the dog’s shoulders, legs, chest and back and attach to the car’s seat belt.

For smaller dogs and other pets, including cats and small furry animals, a pet carrier or travel cage is an ideal way to keep them safe.

Sean continues: “Befor e buying a harness for their pet, owners should make sure that it is suitable for their pet’s weight and size, and that it fits properly. Owners using a pet carrier should ensure they are securely fastened into the vehicle. Pets should never be placed in the boot, as they could suffocate or be thrown around during driving.”

To help keep everyone safe this winter, PDSA has put together some top tips for owners to follow to ensure they travel safely with their pets.

PDSA’s Top Travel Tips:

1. Introduce your pet to the car from an early age – while supervising, allow your pet to explore the inside of your car in their own time. Leave the doors open so they can come and go as they please. This can help make young pets less nervous about travelling when they become adult.

2. Always ensure your pet is secured in a car safety harness or pet carrier before setting out on a journey - this will prevent any distractions and will also help keep you, your passengers, and y our pet safe from harm in the event an accident.

3. Drive steadily – try not to break sharply or accelerate too fast as this could frighten your pet.

4. Take pets for a walk before the journey – this is a good way to burn off your pet’s excess energy to prevent them from becoming restless.

5. Make regular stops – it gives your pet a chance to stretch their legs, relieve themselves to prevent ’accidents’ in the car, and refresh themselves with plenty of drinking water.

6. Never let a dog lean its head out of a window – this could cause their eyes and nose to be damaged by debris, insects or small stones kicked up from the road. There is also a risk that your pet will be injured by a passing vehicle.

For more information on keeping your pet safe and healthy why not log onto www.pdsa.org.uk where you can download free copies of PDSA’s Responsible Pet Care leaflets, including Vaccinations, Dog Training and Fleas. Leaflets can also be picked up from PDSA PetAid hospitals and shops nationwide or ordered by calling freephone 0800 731 2502.