Transportation of a dog by car. Guide

Dog owners often take their pets on vacation. And while they may be their best companions at home, a poorly transported dog can pose a threat to themselves, the driver, and passengers on a journey.

What do the rules say?

In Poland, traffic rules do not directly define how a driver should transport his dog. Remember, however, that reckless and reckless transportation of your pet can have consequences. If the police decide that the method of transporting a dog threatens its safety and may pose a danger to the driver, passengers and other road users, then it may, on the basis of Art. 60 paragraph 1 of the SDA, issue a fine in the amount of PLN 200.

 - Traveling with a dog that roams freely in the car is simply dangerous. The animal, not properly fixed by the owner, is sluggishly thrown forward during sudden braking. Hitting the windshield, seats or front passengers can injure yourself and others, warns Zbigniew Veseli, director of the Renault Driving School.

In order not to endanger the health and life of your pet and avoid troubles and costs, it is worth planning your trip in advance and making sure that the animal is properly secured and fastened, does not interfere with driving and has constant access to fresh air, especially in hot weather.

What to remember?

It is best to place the dog in the back seat and fasten it to the belts with a special harness. On the market, you can find models equipped with mounts for seat belt sockets. Using such a harness is a good way to protect your pet in case of sudden braking or collision. A good way, especially in the case of larger pets, is to transport them in special cages in the trunk, provided, however, that we have an station wagon or a van. Owners of smaller dogs may want to consider a dedicated playpen or a smaller transport cage.

With a dog in the cabin, try to drive as smoothly as possible. We must also take care to take breaks every two or three hours to take him out and give him a drink. It should be remembered that dogs tolerate heat much worse than humans. On the one hand, do not take the dog into a hot car, on the other hand, use the air conditioner sparingly. “Never leave your dog alone in a car on sunny days, because the car heats up very quickly and being in such a cabin becomes hazardous to health,” the instructors of the Renault Safe Driving School warn.