by Michele Strand

Created on: October 06, 2009

I voted yes and then questioned my decision. So, I vote yes, but under certain conditions. I am disabled and have a Pekingese therapy dog that loves to ride in the car but I don't always take him with me. I will tell you why in a bit. Having a law that bans dogs from ever riding in a car should never be. Having a law for the owners of dogs to be educated on how a dog should be a passenger in a car, should be passed.

My dog, Casey Jones, always rides in car, restrained, safely and comfortably. There a few different types of constraints you can buy depending on the size of your dog. Since Casey is a small dog, at 11 pounds, he is attached to a car seat that he sits on that connects to his soft, over the head harness. For larger dogs they make a strap that connects to your seat belt and then directly to your dogs harness. Since the first time Casey Jones ever rode in the car that is where he sits, safely. The seat is held in by my cars seat belt and I have the seat belts that connect to him just loose enough for him to lay on his side and sit up. He can see out the windows as to not get car sick. He loves to go for rides and literally jumps onto his seat when I open the car door and he has never even thought he should sit anywhere else in the car. Not only is this safe me but if I ever have to stop quickly or am in an accident Casey won't end up flying in the car or heaven forbid out of the car.

I recently was in an accident when I was coming home from the vet with Casey when I was hit from behind. Casey was in his seat and survived just fine. He did end up off his seat on the side of it, but uninjured. I on the other hand had my shoulder lap belt combo on but ended up with multiple injuries! The impact was severe enough that it totaled my car, (it was a 1989 Volvo 760 sedan, and the damages outweighed it's value) hence why it was a total. I am convinced that had Casey not been in his car seat, which was in the middle of the back seat, he would have been severely injured if not killed.

OK..I got a bit long winded on my accident but I can not stress enough the importance of if your dog goes anywhere with you in the car he or she should be safely restrained. I can't tell you how crazy it makes me when I see dogs riding in cars with their faces out the window, just a matter of time before something hits their eye and blinds them, or dogs laying up on the back window seat, a perfect spot for them to exit the car early when you get in an accident or dogs that sit on the drivers lap when they are driving which is real cute until you have to stop quickly and the dog and the steering wheel become one! Let's not forget the dogs who get lucky and ride in the back of an open truck bed unrestrained, never mind their fate if an accident happens, just stopping normally in traffic and they are likely to be thrown around like a ball! Now I may be exaggerating somewhat that this is the inevitable outcome but why would you ever take a chance with your dog who you consider a part of your family to the point that you take them with you in the car?

Now to why I don't always take Casey Jones with me. When it's too hot or too cold and I can't take him in to where I am going he stays home, where he is safe.

So, I do stand by my yes vote on whether dogs should be allowed to ride in cars. Casey is my best buddy and he loves to be with me all the time. If your dog is like Casey and part of your family do them a favor and use common sense on when they should go for rides with you in the car or leave them at home. But if they do come along love them enough to restrain them for their safety and yours and mine.

Learn more about this author, Michele Strand.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.