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...

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

or when they crack their window and stick the butt end of the cigarette out the window, yeah that works NOT!!!

[Sharon Lynn]

I agree 100%. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Here is what The Road Warrior wrote in today's Bergen Record. Pretty hefty fines and possible jail sentences.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/road_warrior/Road_Wa...

[F, Calla & Luca]

Actually it makes me wonder what constitutes restraints. Would a barrier to go flying into the front seat count?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Since it really seems that the concern is for humans, and that the point of restraining the dog is to keep the dog from interfering with or impacting the driver's ability to control the car, I would think that anything that reliably kept the dog out of the driver's area would constitute safe transport of the dog.

[F, Calla & Luca]

True, but would it make the dogs any safer?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Maybe, but they could still go flying if you threw on your brakes or got rear-ended.

[Shannon and Finn]

Oh man, now I lost an hour to researching if there are actually any safety and crashed tested systems for dogs.  I can save you the time and let you know that only one company has actually crash tested their harness and they didn't publish the results (so means little).  As it stands there is nothing that says harnesses are safer and they may actually be dangerous, not trying to start a heated discussion though!  Crates actually tend to "explode" with the force of a crash and can create additional concerns as a result.  The harnesses aren't thought to actually withstand the force of a crash since they aren't like safety belts that have been dummy tested with actual force.  Sort of left with company claims on their own products since actual dummy testing to assess where the harness impacts the dog (internal damage risk), the force they are propelled and if they would actually remain in tact etc are crazy expensive and no one could afford a product from someone who did the testing.  Seat belts are safe for kids, but when not fitted properly they can be more dangerous then not wearing one.  I think at this point restraining requirements become about not having a dog wandering around the car potentially distracting drivers but that dog safety is more of a scare and sales tactic in the absence of any actual crash testing.  I think at this point no one is right or wrong on the issue and has to do what they feel is right.  Reading the company claims made me want to order one straight away, but then so do a lot of product advertisements!

[Joe R.]

Thanks for doing that research Shannon. I think it does have more to do with keeping them from wandering and getting underfoot so to speak. And your right, in the end everyone has to do what they feel is right for them.

[Adina P]

Very good points!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Interesting!

[Adina P]

What you say here, Shannon, makes me think that all we can really know about dogs in the current harnessing systems is that they might stay in the car.  But we don't know if it would protect them or hurt them.  It would probably protect US from flying missiles.  I do know that the only way I can transport a dog (not two) right now is if I leave one child at home or the dog would be stuck in the small space between two car seats in the backseat.  In an emergency, that is better than nothing, but two dogs couldn't go unless I put one in the front seat.  If we ever go on a road trip with all our creatures and kids, Clark's station wagon could hold both dogs ...I think.  But I can't really fathom doing such an 'all family' trip any time soon.  I don't usually harness the dogs around town (back when I could take them in my car) but did on any highway trips.  Although when I traveled 5 hours away with Boca and my toddler last year, Boca managed to unlatch the seatbelt so at every stop she was free!