Avoid Getting A Ticket

Doing this is actually considered irresponsible, so please take note. Lap dogs cause driving accidents. In fact, if you are in the habit of sitting at the wheel of a vehicle while it is in motion, and you have a pet on your lap, you may get a ticket.

Owners Fined For Transporting Unrestrained Pets

Most drivers and passengers don’t think twice about buckling up themselves and strapping in a baby, infant, or child, Yet, why does it never occur to them to secure their companion animals while on the move? Clearly the answer is poor judgement. 

So, it’s worth remembering that in the USA, some states are stricter than others. Nevertheless, you definitely run the risk of being fined.

This Can Happen

It’s important to note that unrestrained pets can easily become injured. Furthermore, if they’re allowed to move around freely, that can also become a hazard for the driver as well as the passengers.

A driver must be in control of the vehicle at all times. And when dogs are allowed to be lap dogs, they will cause a driving accident sooner or later. It’s also important not to forget that other people who become involved in an incident or accident may well be affected in some way themselves.

Now, let’s consider the fact that if people can die because someone was texting while driving, imagine what else could occur when someone interacts with their pet. Others can also just as easily die because someone turned to stroke their cat or feed their dog a treat!

Some U.S. State Laws

In Tennessee

Back in May 2011, Tennessee House Bill 212 was passed and became law on July 1st that year. It’s a measure that helps keep pets safe by making it a Class C misdemeanor to allow a dog to ride unrestrained in the front seat of a vehicle. It restricts the movement of pets traveling in a vehicle to the following:

* it must be held by someone either in the front passenger seat or the rear seat, or else

* it must be harnessed, crated or otherwise contained

In New Jersey

New Jersey police officers have been known to stop drivers for improperly transporting an animal and issue fines as much as $1,000 per pet. Examples of citations range from dogs hanging their head out of a window, unleashed dogs traveling in the bed of a pickup truck (deemed animal cruelty), cats resting on the dashboard, and even someone driving with a bird perched on their shoulder.

In Other States

Fines are issued to motorists who drive with pets in their laps in these states: Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois and Maine.

Do You Know The Law?

If this topic interests you, could you please send me a comment. I’d like to know three things…

1. Had you heard about this law before reading this blog?

2. Do laws like these exist in your state?

3. If not, do you think they should because they’ll help to save pets’ lives?

Together, let’s keep our precious pets healthy, happy and safe!  

Here’s another article you might like, this time about flying with your pet: https://petpeevesunmasked.com/flying-with-pets-as-cargo-involves-risks/