Almost all dogs love car rides. It’s hard to be a dog owner without sometimes putting your dog in the car, whether it’s to get to a vet appointment or to take them to a new hiking trail. But accidents happen, and car rides can sometimes be dangerous for dogs. Some dogs die as a result of car rides. Dog car accidents can be dangerous for pets and people; even dogs who survive car accidents may escape or be traumatized by the experience.
While there’s a variety of devices that make car rides safer for pups, like safety clips for seat belts, these items that can prevent some accidents aren’t well-known to many pet owners. In a tragic accident, an owner visiting a dog show lost two dogs when she took a wrong turn and ended up backing into a lake.
Everyday drive turned tragic
A Perry, Georgia fairground hosted a local dog show, attracting many visitors and their dogs. Noel Roblee, a resident of Macon, GA., was driving her 2017 Toyota Tacoma pickup back to her RV; she had one human passenger and three canines in the vehicle, according to 13WMAZ News. After taking a wrong turn, Roblee accidentally submerged the back end of the pickup truck into an agricultural pond. Thankfully, both people escaped from the truck with no injuries.
One of the three canines was riding along in the cab of the truck; this pup was lucky enough to be safely removed from the scene of the accident. Sadly, two of the dogs in the vehicle were riding along in the back of the truck, which was submerged first; although life-saving efforts were administered, both canines passed away.
Preventing dog car accidents
Accidents do happen, and they aren’t always predictable. Owners who lose their pets to tragic dog car accidents shouldn’t be blamed. However, there are some steps you can take to try to increase your dog’s safety in your vehicle. If you allow your dog to ride in the back of your truck, consider moving them inside the vehicle. This practice is generally considered unsafe, as dogs can jump out or be hit by passing debris. It’s also illegal in some states. Statistics show that around 100,000 dogs die every year as a result of riding unsecured in a truck bed.
Within your vehicle, you can still increase your dog’s safety and prevent dog car accidents. Don’t unroll windows to an extent that an excitable dog has an opportunity to jump free. Consider seat belt clips or other tools that function similarly to seat belts for humans, giving your dog some restraint if you are to get into an accident with them present.
