Politics
Not buckling up your pet in the car could land you with a maximum fine of $1,000
IF you are considering a road trip with your furry friend, make sure you both buckle up.
As more people are driving with their pets in the car, states are implementing pet car restraint laws to protect you and your four-legged friends.
People who drive without restraining their pets put themselves and their animals in serious danger.[/caption]
Millions of pets ride in the car with their humans, but studies show less than 20 percent of owners buckle up their pets.
In the event of a collision, an unrestrained animal would be a severe danger to themselves and anyone else in the car.
To combat this, states like New Jersey and Rhode Island require that pets be in a carrier or wearing a restraint.
Violators can face fines up to $1,000.
Several other states specify the animal doesn’t have to be restrained but cannot be riding in the driver’s lap because it can be a deadly distraction.
In some states, pet owners cannot transport their pets unsecured in open-bed trucks.
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The unrestrained animal could fall out, be seriously injured in a car crash, or experience heat exhaustion or hypothermia.
There are also several state laws that protect pets from being transported in cruel and inhumane manners.
For everyone’s safety, buckle up all your passengers – even those with four legs.
Some states specify that pets cannot ride in the driver’s lap because it can cause distracted driving.[/caption]
