Pet restraint laws and a question for all our NJ members

[Joe R.]

Saw this on our local news today.  Since it's in New Jersey I thought I get everyones opinions. I personally think it's a great idea. Also does anyone know if they are actually enforcing it.

 

http://wusa9.com/news/article/207053/283/State-Drivers-Should-Buckl...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

You go NJ! 

[L.M.]

I completely see where this article is coming from, BUT there are times (I should say MANY times) when I would not be able to follow the restrictions.  I live in NJ and I never drive with my dogs in the front seat, but I admit, I do drive with them in the back of our SUV.  I know I shouldn't...and I know some of you will yell at me..lol... but often it can't be avoided.  The article doesn't say much about dogs laying in the back seat or on the floor, for example.  If I put my dogs in a dog seat belt or harness, they would freak out...because, after all, they are dogs.  Am I not allowed now to let my dogs lay on the floor or the back seat?  What about when traveling on vacation with them and the car is packed with luggage?  I have a Honda Element and we create floor space by taking out the back seats so we can travel with our pups and all the baggage.  So I'm curious...and concerned...that this law is not taking many situations into account.  I personally think we need to tackle the cell phone issue while driving before moving on to this one.  

[Joe R.]

This is what I do in the back of my Ford Edge. Gus and Lilly have harnesses that have tethers long enough for them to move around the back, but can only come up to the back of the front seats. My Edge has anchor points at the back they're tethers are hooked to.

[BG and Gavin]

Okay L.M... I am going to yell at you.

I have told this story several times, but the trauma of it all remains fresh for me.  The two lane highway that we travel 3.5 hours up and down every weekend is particularly hazzardous in the winter.  A couple of years back we were following a transport truck, keeping far back and going under the speed limit due to road conditions when a car going the opposite direction suddenly began spinning into our lane and was hit head on by the transport, spinning away and landing in the ditch.  We drove through the debris and were the first responders.  My DH who was a cop instructed me to make the 911 call and stay back for a minute because he was sure that it would not be good.  After making the call and checking on the truck driver I made my way to what was left of the vehicle.  Two people were stapped in the mangled wreckage of the car and were alive and consious.  I could not tell back from front seat nor the age or sex of the individuals.  As we talked them down and began basic first aid, another motorist had stopped up the road and was yelling to me and motioning frantically.  Over the ditch, past a telephone pole, over a barbwire fence in the middle of the famer's field some 100 feet or more from the SUV was another person.  With my heart in my mouth I ran through the snow.  Her arm was broken for sure, but she too was conscious.  What's your name I asked.  "Violet" she replied.  She knew nothing else, but I stayed with her and chattered on until the EMT arrived some 45 minutes later.  We later found out that the two strapped in were Violet's teen son and daughter.  She was not wearing her belt and must have flown out through the hatch.  Her issues were serious, but she survived.  I am not kidding you when I say their suitcases, clothing and belongs were scattered for miles.  Always wear your seat belt and keep you animals and belongings secure.  Please I beg of you.  I am sure the Element has cargo ties downs in the back.  Also you can teather them to the seat belt in the back seat and they can move around until the seat belt locks in the case of sudden breaking (like for a deer which we encounter every so often). They will get used to it, they really will.  I know with my dog he is so used to it that he seems to be steadier and more secure when he is buckled in.  Here he is with the back seat folded down, attached to the center shoulder belt.

[Sharon Lynn]

I agree with you.  I take my dog to the vet at least three times a week (she is very sick at the moment)  and it will be impossible for her to get restrained.  She barely has the energy to move let alone sit.  So now what do I do, get a fine taking her to the vet.  I just don't think it should be on a case to case basis.

[BG and Gavin]

As many of you know I am a big proponent of stapping your dog in.  I think for the safety of the animal and to reduce driver distraction it is vital.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I tried to read the link, but got a notice that Norton closed it due to "an attempted attack" on my computer, lol. Don't know if that's a coincident or if the website is corrupted, but be careful!

Without reading the article, I have to say that while I am a big supporter of car restraints for pets, I just don't think this is something the government or the police should be regulating. There are only so many police and so much time and the court system is already overburdened. I think there are far more pressing issues than this that need that attention and those resources. And I would not want it left up to an individual police officer's judgment as to whether or not my dog was being properly transported.

Now, if they wanted to something about those huge Hunte Corporation trucks transporting puppy mill puppies thousands of miles to pet stores under inhumane conditions....

[Joe R.]

Sorry about that Karen. The link is from the local CBS (ch.9) affiliate here in DC. I just tried it again from my original post and it opened ok. From the article it sounds like the main enfrocement will be by NJSPCA officers.

[F, Calla & Luca]

This information was in the Bergen Record today too. I had no idea it was a law.

[Sharon Lynn]

Me either my friend just called to tell me.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Funny, my cousin called me too.

[Shannon and Finn]

I will admit that I have never restrained a dog in the car.  We had a dog gate in the back of the jeep (no, not the open top kind!) so he couldn't fly forward or get out of the back area.  We just got a mini van and will be going on a road trip, so what should we use for Finn?  Need ideas since he will be in the back area, but likes the floor by the kids feet too.  Are you just using a regular harness that is tethered to the cargo clips?  Afraid he will get tangled up in the leash all the time.  ????

Also agree with Karen that making this a law is a ridiculous use of resources.