This goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: Accidents happen. They also happen fast. Like, in a few seconds. Hundreds of pets are injured and killed every year in car accidents because pet owners get soft about safety. We don’t blame you—it’s super easy to get lax about a quick trip or ease up on the rules during a long haul. Who can say no to those sad puppy eyes?
The thing is, a dog chilling in the front seat is just as much at risk during a collision as a person in the same spot. This could mean going through the windshield, hitting the dashboard or getting extreme whiplash from the impact.
What could make accidents even worse for dogs, though, is lack of restraints. More often than not, dogs allowed to ride shotgun aren’t buckled up or harnessed in any way. You wouldn’t let your friend ride without a seatbelt, so why risk it with your dog? This practice is incredibly dangerous and increases the likelihood that in the event of an accident, the dog will be thrown either through the windshield or around the car, potentially causing greater injury to herself and other passengers.
According to Paws to Click, an organization dedicated to pet safety during travel, if a 75-pound pup is in a car traveling 30 miles per hour and the car crashes, the dog will exert roughly 2,250 pounds of force on whatever it hits. Sound like a question on a math test? Sure. Super important to understand? You bet. That’s like getting hit in the chest with a small horse.
In addition, unrestrained pups have been known to exit a vehicle after a crash and dart directly into traffic. The trauma and confusion of a collision is terrifying; dogs able to get away will want to run from the wreckage as soon as they can. Harnessing them will help prevent against injury not only during an accident but after, as well.
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