Club 80-90 Forums

new to camping and like to take our dalmation with us, someone told us recently that the law says if you have a dog in a van it now has to be kept in a dog cage whilst driving?? seems a bit ott to me but nothing would surprise me with the fun police we currently have running the country! we just let our sit on the back seat or lay on the floor

anyone know the law with this

rod (iowcamper)

News to me. My two sit on the back seat.

Mine sits on the front seat cos she likes to navigate - but she wears a proper dog harness. I think the law is that animals must not be loose in the car - se they should have a cage or harness when travelling.

Mine has a body harness and I have a strap with a fitting on the end that snaps into the seat belt so she is secure (don't do this on a collar as the dog could break it's neck) only use these on a body harness. You can buy these from large pet stores.

If you think about it it is in the dog and owners interest to have the dog secured while driving. Think of the damage that could be done even in a small crash if the dog is loose .I am amazed to see people letting their little dogs sit on the parcel shelf; one sharp stop and the dog will be through the windcreen hitting the driver on the way. If you love your dog then secure them in the van or car; you wouldn't let people travel without a seat belt so why let your dog.

S

Your in an old VW, you can do what you want! The police are good for two things: spending our tax money and looking stupid.

we have 3 dogs but have only travelled with 2 in the van so far (one is very new) but we just put their beds on the floor of the van, if nobody is in the back they'll climb up on the seat but tend to slide off when I brake cos there's not enough room for them on it (they're rather large).
I can't see me being in any danger from a flying dog in a collision with them lying on the floor unless I roll the van (isn't that another thread??) and then I'd be equally as worried about the 24pack of beer, porta loo, 5 litre water bottle and several other loose items that I carry in the van.

Incidently, when we eventually take the 3rd dog with us she will be in a carry crate as she suffers from travel sickness and I don't want dog puke all over my van!!!!

if it worries you though, why don't you install a removable dog guard behind the R&R bed and put the dog in 'the boot'?

im not worried about it, like yourself our dog just lays on his bed on the floor so isnt a danger to anyone

sandringham wrote: you wouldn't let people travel without a seat belt so why let your dog.

S

Speak for yourself there
mike

We travel eveywhere with Kizzy in her crate she loves it and I think she feels much safer there. If she was just sitting on the back seat and I had an accident at 50mph I would never forgive myself as she was propelled thru the van at 50mph to end up against the back of my seat!

I am a vet and have had 2 dogs in the last year that have been involved in Road Traffic Accidents that have had to be put to sleep. Both were travelling in 'vans' (one was a builders transit and the other a t5 delivery van)on the front seat. Both had fractured spines and were beyond help. The accidents were both at low speed (one a side swipe whilst turning and the other a rear ending whilst stationary at a turning). These dogs had gone into the front window and were otherwise unmarked apart from the spinal injuries.

Regardless of the law I would always recommend a harness of some sort when in a van or car (The RAC make and excellent version) for your safety and the dog. Both of the above dog's owners were not at fault when the accidents took place it was the other driver.

BTW this is my first post - Hi guys!

thanks john, id never let our dog get in the front but after consideration for the sake of £20 or £30 for a harness for him not worth the risk

iowcamper

Hello John I agree thats why there is no expense spaired when it come to Kiz. We also make sure her crate has plenty of stuff packed round it so it to cannot move. I don't think she would ever wear a harness she is just too mad!!!

Jeanie

When I first started driving a company van for Wimpey's 26 years ago ... there was a sticker on the dash of all co. vehicles ... it basically said never have anything loose in the vehicle you wouldn't hit yourself in the face with. To me that includes a dog, it's cage, children, items of crockery, etc etc

Ian.

but presumably loose change, mobile phone, fags, lighter, sandwiches, cans of pop and an old flask would be ok!!!!
i know what you mean though - common sense should prevail, i just dont like the state stepping in and saying you must have your dog in a crate !, they now want to stop people smoking in the own vehicles - a step too far, i'm a smoker and will go inside before bowing to that one, and even staunch anti smoking friends thought it was overstepping the mark.

I'd need a much, much bigger van to be able to crate all of my dogs....and as I only have seatbelts in the front harnesses are not an option (they wouldn't all fit on the back seat anyway) so I'll stick to putting them on the floor and take my chances........I can't see anything like dogs being crated in vehicles becming law, I wouldn't be able to fit my dog's crate in any of the vehicles I own; its 4' x 3'....and that's just for one of em!!!!