Law May Force Some N.M. Dogs To Wear Seat Belts

[babybluetx23]

Law May Force Some N.M. Dogs To Wear Seat Belts

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Drivers in Santa Fe soon may have to buckle up all their passengers -- even the four-legged ones.

The City Council in the New Mexico city is considering a major rewrite of the animal control ordinance. The proposal would require that animals be restrained when riding in a car or truck.

Pet stores already sell doggie seat belts, but don't sell many. There's even a little booster seat for dogs so they can see out of the window.

The idea has won the approval of a City Council committee.

[ILoveRotts]

Well I won't be moving to NM! :(

Not that I don't think it's a good idea and safer for the dog. It's just not practical for me. 4 dogs & a toddler. I don't have enough seats

[Patty1231]

Both of my dogs are in seat belt harnesses when they ride in the car. I prefer they be restrained rather than becoming 80 and 100 pound projectiles in the case of an accident.

[Lookie]

I already use one too. I have two kids in the back and an 80lb projectile doesn't sound too healthy, not to mention harmful to the dog! It's just second nature for her to wear it. Although, after being at the dyke in the water and dirt, it's fun to try and keep clean!

[moondog]

My dog wears a harness tethered to the cargo hold. Not only can a loose dog go through the windshield, , but 90 pounds of anything flying through the air could kill or seriously injure the occupant(s) of a car in the event of an accident. If people need to be legislated into it, I have no problem with that.

[angel girl]

Lucky is either belted or crated. Shani is crated. It's second nature. Shania's crate is seat belted in and Lucky's is tied down in the cargo/very back seat area of my van.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Well good for NM! :)

Julius is either in a seatbelt harness in my car (no room for a crate) or in a crate in Ryan's Bronco since there is room. It's just unsafe to have a dog roaming free in the car.

:)
Brooke

[TrishB]

Becareful - they're not all created equally.

Some are restraint systems - which stop the dogs from running around in your vehicles.

Others are safety systems - which will protect your dogs in case of a crash. There is a difference!

This is what I have for Parker:

http://www.travelinpets.com/store/sh...oduct_id=14298

It's tested to human crash-test standards.

AND, the owner of the company donated a Roadie to the RCCBSL Online Auction!!! So I'm a big fan and would love to further promote him. :) If you do purchase from him, let him know that you heard of it because of the RCCBSL! :D

[Ilovemypuppy]

Both our girls are crated when in the van...they like their crates...except when at a drive thru :p

[SABELLESMOM]

We use the Rufrider Roadies as well, Trish. They are wonderful.

www.fancypaws.com/moravia/rufroadcanve.html

[babybluetx23]

For those of you who have a harness......Are they adjustable for all sizes? Or do you have to buy one for them while they ar small, Another one when they get bigger and then another one for full size? I dont have one for Harley yet and there is no room in my small Saturn for a crate. He rides in the car ALL the time but he is good about staying in ONE place and either sitting down or laying down, However in case of an accident that will not do him ANY good. I want to get a harness for him

[moondog]

Luna is 96 lbs and when I transported a starvling Rottweiler that was only 38 lbs, Luna's size large harness adjusted down to fit her just fine.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by babybluetx23

For those of you who have a harness......Are they adjustable for all sizes? Or do you have to buy one for them while they ar small, Another one when they get bigger and then another one for full size? I dont have one for Harley yet and there is no room in my small Saturn for a crate. He rides in the car ALL the time but he is good about staying in ONE place and either sitting down or laying down, However in case of an accident that will not do him ANY good. I want to get a harness for him

We've had Julius' harness since he was about 6 months old (54 lbs.) & it still works with quite a bit of give & Jules is now 107 lbs.

:)
Brooke

[babybluetx23]

Thanks! Ill get him one probably next weekend on our weekly trip to Petsmart. I need to find out how much he weighs now. He hit a growth spurt this last week and shot up like a WEED!!! hehe

[brandygirl]

Brandy has a seatbelt and I think it is fantastic that lawmakers are taking into consideration the safety of our 4 legged family memebers. If I had a child, I would not let him/her ride in a car without a proper seatbelt - nor will I let my most precious 4 legged baby ride without proper restraint. I got her belt about 1 year ago. What was really sad and ironic is 1 day after that, a friend of mine was riding in their car with their lab and got into an accident (they did not have a seatbelt for their pet). The poor lab went through the windshield and flew about 50 feet. The boy lived, but was pretty broken and had quite a long recovery. I never want to think about risking my baby's life like that. It would break my heart.