just wondering if anybody knows what the legal issue of dogs in the front seat of cars is or even is there one
I have a dog and he has a doggie seatbelt in the back of the car he wont stay in the boot with dog guard!
when the front seat is empty he likes sitting in the front seat but talking to a frind today i just wonder are there any legal issues does he have to wear a seat belt ?
any advise would be great thanks

Highway Code: Rule 57 – Dogs and Travelling in cars.

“When in a vehicle, make sure that dogs and other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you or them if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog crate, dog car seat or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”

However, according to the Pet Care Trust: The Trust has received several enquires concerning possible legislation making it law for dogs to be secured in cars. As far as the Trust is aware, no such legislation exists or is currently proposed.

(I can't get onto the Kennel Club's site for some reason, but I bet you'll find the latest info on there)

My dog has a RAC dog car harness as she sits on front seat. They very good-it clips to a fastened seat belt. It gives them enough room to sit or lie down and turn around on the seat, but not cause a danger to you.

Quote "when the front seat is empty he likes sitting in the front seat but talking to a friend"

I want a Dog that talks to my friend too, where did you get it? Is this a dog friend? how did you know what they were saying? ir is it a friend of yours?

just wondering if anybody knows what the legal issue of dogs in the front seat of cars is or even is there one
I have a dog and he has a doggie seatbelt in the back of the car he wont stay in the boot with dog guard!
when the front seat is empty he likes sitting in the front seat but talking to a frind today i just wonder are there any legal issues does he have to wear a seat belt ?
any advise would be great thanks my dog also like to sit in the front ,in my previous car he could put the window down by standing on button,now he is older he just likes to sit in the front reading his paper and sratching his butt,he refuses to wear a seatbelt, we told him about the legal implications and that he would have to pay the fine,to which he replied "thats ruff":rolleyes:

It is unclear how your dog can escape from behind your dog guard. Is he/she trained? The dog must do what you want, not the other way round. Breeders always transport ther dogs in cages in the back (usually over long distances to shows); in the event of an accident it has proved to give the dog and driver the best chance of survival, otherwise the dog will hit the windscreen with some force.

Dogs body weight x speed (at collison) = the weight that hits you -your dog could be come your murderer!!!!

Make sure he is fastened down

I would think it's not legal, but even if it is, it would be highly dangerous as sheffsal says. The dog would probably go through the windscreen in an accident. Train him to stay behind the dog guard.

yep n thats after hes proberbly hit you first

our yorkie has a seat belt and sits in the back, but our border collie sits happily in the well of the front seat. We used to have them in their crates/cages when we had a bigger car, but I heard of a couple of very rare cases where the cages practically exploded when in a rear-ended crash, so I don't use them for travelling now.
Of course there are some top notch ones on the market that may well be much safer. One of the nicest ones I've seen, was a plastic & metal one with sloping front. The breeder at our club had it divided to keep her pets apart.

i would have thought as long as the dog has a full licence and valid insurance there should be no problem's:D

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj18/russsmailbox1/tys7.jpg

I think that is a bit silly when on front seat as it also restricts your view.

I think that is a bit silly when on front seat as it also restricts your view.

I dont really care what YOU think.

He has done in excess of 200,000 miles like that and look at the look on his face.......;)

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj18/russsmailbox1/tys7.jpg

Ps when i jesture for him to lay,he lays,hides from the cops with his paws over his eyes :D

thanks to all who have replied I will now let him in the front with his seat belt attachment on he is a very well trained dog but will not settle in the back of the car but thanks to all for advise and i will let you all know if i hear any more about the legal side of him being in front of the car many thanks again

I agree, an unrestrained dog in a car could kill you if you are involved in an accident. But then again, it might instead act as a furry air bag if you judge your speed just right!

Or as the TV advert says, "After Fido had smashed into the back of his owners skull, he calmly sat back down and licked his own b***s.."

It's interesting to note that when information was given on 'crates practically exploding' in a rear end crash, no information was given on side impacts with dogs in back seats, or airbag explosions and the impact on a dog in the front seat. We used to have balanced stories in the media in this country! :rant:

Think about it. You're in a crash. Rear ended and shunted into the vehicle in front. IF your dog survives the carnage, your legs are pinned in the footwell and the firebrigade are trying to cut you out. The paramedics are trying to access the rear seats to apply a neck brace to you... but your dog is going berserk defending you from this 'attack' from all these people who are clearly part of the most hideous thing that's ever happened to the pair of you. The police marksman is called to 'deal with' your dog so you can be rescued

Yeah, your dog may think it's great sitting in the front seat, but the airbag exploding at six inches from his face is going to take his bloody head off... but it's okay, coz you can take cute pics from below dashboard level so the cops can't see you :mad:

Brude travels in a crate, or a fabrikennel in the boot, and on long journeys at the most hazardous times of day, we move the middle seats forwards so there's crash space behind him

ye i use a doggie seat belt :) but she doesn’t always stay still try’s to get out of it :P i don’t think the metal dividers in the boot are a good idea but i suppose u cant really do much else with a larger dog

No law applies to carrying dogs - guidelines exist. But then again most drivers choose which Highway Code guidelines to comply with anyway.

No law applies to carrying dogs - guidelines exist. But then again most drivers choose which Highway Code guidelines to comply with anyway.As do the police if they spot your dog being carried unsafely ;)

I wouldn't be surprised if they were able to apply something like 'an unsecured load' if they wanted to stop you

As do the police if they spot your dog being carried unsafely ;)

I wouldn't be surprised if they were able to apply something like 'an unsecured load' if they wanted to stop you

It wouldn't surprise me.
As a dog transporter and an owner i have yet to find any means that doesn't have some degree of risk.
Tethered,harnesses,loose in crates,loose in the boot behind a guard etc.
The only advice i've ever been given is to make sure the dog is secured - so cable ties on all four paws onto the roof rack works :hihi:

If you put 2 dogs together in the car, then they will be happier as they socialise.

We left 2 collies (a male and female) in a car while we went to the shops, and they amused themselves while we were out. We can't do that now, as the female has now got pups, and so its a little crowded.

2 dogs and your fine (make sure theres ventillation)

I looked into this as someone told my I could get 3 points on my licence and £60 fine - couldn't find any law on it, just guidelines - Rocky's got his own booster seat - thinks he's king of the car!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll188/finoni9/090130_151244.jpg

I looked into this as someone told my I could get 3 points on my licence and £60 fine - couldn't find any law on it, just guidelines - Rocky's got his own booster seat - thinks he's king of the car!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll188/finoni9/090130_151244.jpg
Ah I love him! :love: He looks just like my dog who died aged 15 two years ago.

I have two dogs and have them on seat belts in the back. Theya re very good. I had a rear end shunt three years ago and one dog was in a dog car seat, and the impact was so severe it catapulted him out of the seat, thank good ness he had on his harness, and was strapped in, He was very shaken up and was very unhappy the first few times we went in a car after that, but fine now. I t ivery important to have your dog restrained, you wouldn't allow a child to be without a seat belt, and as dog is a valued member of the family, he should be afforded the same rules of safety.

you'd be surprised just how many parents don't value their children enough Hetty. Last week I saw a toddler without any restraints at all kneeling up looking out the window of the front seat of a car in motion! but that's a whole new can o worms

Ah I love him! :love: He looks just like my dog who died aged 15 two years ago.


Thank you............. I think he is a cutey - the people at the McDonald's drive thru keep asking me if they can have him - NO WAY!!! :)

you'd be surprised just how many parents don't value their children enough Hetty. Last week I saw a toddler without any restraints at all kneeling up looking out the window of the front seat of a car in motion! but that's a whole new can o worms

:rant: :rant: :rant: that's shocking!!