Is it illegal to have dog unrestrained on car rear seat?
Discussion
Never thought of this before,but just bought an old Peugeot 205 convertible as a little classic car for the summer.
I put the roof down,rear windows are up and the folded rear of the hood comes up to around the dogs shoulders when she's sitting down(husky).
I just asked the misses for her opinion as to whether it looked ok safety-wise having her in rear seat with the hood down.
Said misses then plucks a statement out of her nether regions (probably to start an argument)that it's illegal to have an unrestrained dog in the rear seat of a car??(despite fact I've done it in hardtops for years!must have slipped her mind)
I didn't bite but just wondered if plod would get their knickers in a twist if they saw a dog loose in the rear of a convertible?
Dog is very calm by nature and loves in the car,would/do you trust your dog in a convertible,if ofcourse you drive one? ;-)
I put the roof down,rear windows are up and the folded rear of the hood comes up to around the dogs shoulders when she's sitting down(husky).
I just asked the misses for her opinion as to whether it looked ok safety-wise having her in rear seat with the hood down.
Said misses then plucks a statement out of her nether regions (probably to start an argument)that it's illegal to have an unrestrained dog in the rear seat of a car??(despite fact I've done it in hardtops for years!must have slipped her mind)
I didn't bite but just wondered if plod would get their knickers in a twist if they saw a dog loose in the rear of a convertible?
Dog is very calm by nature and loves in the car,would/do you trust your dog in a convertible,if ofcourse you drive one? ;-)
Get one of these for a quid, job jobbed https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seat-restraint-harness-Bl...
It's the law in Germany, but a wide range of simple solutions is available. Typically a dog harness with a short strap connected between the harness with a harness clip at one end and a seat belt tongue at the other. Or, instead of the tongue, a clip through which the seat belt diagonal strap is routed when the belt is fastened normally. Costs less than £15 from Amazon etc.
Rule 58 of the Highway Code deals with travelling with pets and states:
“When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”
So it's not an offence not to restrain, but that lack of restraint, as has been stated above, could lead to an offence.
“When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”
So it's not an offence not to restrain, but that lack of restraint, as has been stated above, could lead to an offence.
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