The dog quickly becomes a danger. To transport him safely in the car, there are fortunately numerous possibilities. | info& tips now in the dog guidebook!
the dog is thrown through the car or gets under the pedals? If you want to avoid this horror scenario, you should think about suitable measures that guarantee the safe transport of your dog in the car.
Take the dog unsecured with the window open? Not a good idea! © tim mossholder
Some dog owners underestimate the physical forces that can act on the occupants during heavy braking or – even worse – in the event of an accident. in the worst case the animal dies when it is thrown through the trolley.
The animal itself can also be the cause of an accident if, for example, it distracts the driver by jumping into the steering wheel or, if it is very small, by getting between the pedals in the driver’s footwell.
Who acts negligently with the dog transport, risks thus much.
To be able to take the dog with you in the car, you can use practical accessories and thus ensure a safe trip.
Whether there is a seat belt obligation for dogs, what the legal situation looks like and what you can do to ensure that your four-legged friend gets from A to B safely, is clarified by the dog guide.
Transporting dogs in the car – this is the law
Must dogs be strapped in?
So far there is no law that requires dogs to be strapped in the car or transported in a box. Also there is no law that specifies where the dog must be in the car while driving. However, drivers have to make sure that they are not hindered by the animal.
Unsecured the dog in the car can quickly become a projectile and hinder the journey or be seriously injured. © unsplash/marieke koenders
this matter is stated in § 23 of the road traffic regulations, which says: "whoever drives a vehicle is responsible for ensuring that his vision and hearing are not impaired by the occupants, animals, the load, equipment or the condition of the vehicle"."
Those who fail to ensure adequate safety when transporting dogs risk being detained or fined.
Unsecured dog in the car: the fine is this high
Anyone transporting an animal unsecured in the car must expect a fine of 30 euros. If the unsecured transport leads to a danger to road traffic or even to damage to property, the fine quickly increases to more than double the amount, and a point is also due in the driving suitability register in flensburg.
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How to transport my dog safely in the car? tips& info
With a special dog harness for the car, you can easily strap the animal in. © 123RF/andriy popov
To take the four-legged friend safely in the car, there are various options and practical accessories:
1. Transport box for dogs: a transport box, properly placed, is a particularly safe method of taking the dog with you in the car. They come in different sizes and designs. It’s best to get the animal used to the crate bit by bit before the first journey begins.
2. Dog car seat: instead of a transport box, you can also take your dog in a dog car seat. These boxes, unlike the transport box, are open at the top and are strapped to the back seat like a child seat.
3. Strap-on dog harness: if you want to strap your dog in, you should never do so with the existing belts, as they are not tailored to the dog’s anatomy and firstly do not hold the dog very securely and secondly can harm the dog if they cut into the neck or elsewhere. But you can buy a practical dog harness that simply clips into the belt and sits comfortably and securely on the dog’s chest.
4. Transporting a dog in the trunk: transport in the trunk is a good idea for now. But if you don’t have a station wagon, you should think twice about it. The fresh air supply in the trunk of a sedan is limited, it is dark and cramped. there are extremely relaxed, fearless dogs that have no problem with this and just sleep, but if the dog makes even the slightest indication that it doesn’t like it, you should definitely not force the animal to do this. either way, this variant should only be used for short distances. In the station wagon, the dog has space, visibility and is somewhat secured by the rear seat when braking. However, the problem is that the dog has so much freedom of movement that a safe seat cannot be guaranteed and the dog can jump forward over the rear seats.
5. Partition in the trunk: for even greater safety when transporting a dog in the trunk, a partition is installed behind the rear seats of station wagons to separate them from the trunk. There are various options for this, such as nets or, for larger dogs, particularly stable metal bars.
6. Dog in the footwell: in principle, the dog can also take a seat in the footwell – of course not in the driver’s footwell. Here it can’t become a bullet in the car. However, it must be ensured that he also remains there. Small dogs in particular can otherwise quickly crawl into the driver’s footwell.
The choice of transport depends, of course, on the size and temperament of the dog. Dog owners should think about this issue calmly and choose the option that both ensures a safe ride, protects the dog and provides the best possible comfort for the animal. The same applies, of course, when transporting cats.
One last tip: whether it’s a crate, a dog belt or a car seat – it’s advisable to familiarize the animal with the accessories a few times before the first car journey, so that the trip is as stress-free as possible and therefore also safe.