Dog transport safety

[vicky payne]

Hubby is looking for a new car and although I usually have the dogs in my van, he does need to transport them occasionally. We visited a showroom and checked out the bootspace of some cars; most will fit 3 springers for a short trip, but when I asked about how safe the bootspace was the salesman looked, well, stumped! I know most cars have crumple zones and I assume the boot is a crumple zone as it doesn't contain people, so if the car was backended will my dogs get crumpled?! What about cars with seats in the bootspace, are these safer for dogs? I have seen saftey cages for 'normal' cars but they are bulky and wouldn't fit 3dogs. I'm thinking if he goes for a 'normal' car the metal crate may be being firmly attached to the back seat for dog safety!
I'd be interested to know where members travel their dogs, what restraint you use and if you've ever considered their safety in a crash? If you have a lockable box is it locked while in motion? Or do you leave it unlocked so your dogs could be rescued in a crash? Does anyone use dog trailers? Anyone been unlucky enough to have an accident with one? How did it/the dogs fare?

[Allyson]

I did some research on this a number of years ago so I have put together a short response........................

Travelling with Dogs

The Highway Codes states:

“When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you if you stop quickly.”

NB The Highway Code is not LAW (except where there are specific references to the relevant part of the RTA) but is considered "Best Practice!".

In 1983 Seatbelt wearing became mandatory for drivers and front seat passengers; this has now extended to ALL occupants being required to wear them.

Unfortunately these laws do not, as yet, extend to dogs and as a consequence many people continue to travel with their dogs free and unrestrained not realizing that in an impact they could become a lethal weapon.

At 30mph, for example, a 60lb dog would be thrown forward with a force equivalent to 1200lbs – enough to kill a driver or passenger.

Unrestrained pets can distract drivers and cause accidents. After a crash they could escape from the car and be hit by passing vehicles or cause collisions when other road users take avoiding action. A frightened dog might attack a stranger going to assist an injured driver or run off.

Fortunately there are plenty of choices available for responsible owners.

Custom Made Car Cages

There are a number of companies that specialize in producing off the shelf and bespoke cages that will fit virtually any make of car that is available in the UK. They come in various designs from the solid sided fibreglass models to those made entirely from steel which will fold flat for easy storage when not in use. They can be fitted with dividers if you have more than one dog; escape doors (so that you can remove your dog from the front of the car in case of a rear end shunt); drinking bowls, fans, hooks for leads etc and can be locked for security.

The advantage of these is that the dog is completely contained and therefore unable to damage any of the vehicle interior or escape during an accident. For those dogs which spend a great deal of time in the car travelling either on holiday or to and from events, it means that all the windows and tailgate/boot can be left open whilst ensuring both security and full ventilation.

(NB there are cages being advertised at the moment as crash tested, however there are currently no BSi/EN/ISO standards that exist for car cages)

Dog Guards

These are designed to prevent the dog interfering with the driver/passengers; again those companies that specialize in these will have various models shaped to the angle of the rear seat to give maximum floor space. They may often come with the facility to bolt to the roof and floor of the car or head restraints for safety. Be wary of cheap, mass produced varieties which will not withstand the impact of a large dog on sudden braking etc due to their inferior quality and inefficient mounting mechanisms.

Tailgate Guards

These can be used in conjunction with Dog Guards and again provide security when parked with full ventilation.

This combination is cheaper than a car cage but it does have the disadvantage that the car interior could be damaged by tooth/claw and windows tend to get very “snotty”!

Both layouts mean that the dog can be kept under control whilst opening the vehicle tailgate and tailgate guards and cages can of course be locked. (NB I would recommend that dogs are NOT locked in during transit)

Seatbelts

For cars that cannot accommodate such arrangements then consideration should be given to safety harnesses designed specifically for use in the car. Unfortunately although there are many on the market there is no existing Bsi/ISO/EN standard which can verify the integrity of such equipment; therefore although a harness will restrict movement it may fail to protect in the event of a collision. Trevor Turner, a vet, has written in the dog press that the only restraint related injuries he has seen or has knowledge of are those involving seatbelts rather than cages.

The only canine seat belt currently for sale in the UK that HAS been tested for safety is the American produced one by BERGAN. And if I used a seat belt that is the model I would select.

If you choose to transport your dog on the passenger seat using one of these it is of course essential to make the airbag inoperable.

Crumple Zone

The majority of dogs are transported in the crumple zone of a car ie the boot or rear of an estate, however I have been unable to find any reports of dogs which have been killed or injured when involved in a car accident WHILST IN A CAGE.

FWIW I have had 3 bespoke cages made for me by Barnesbrook and they have never needed to be "attached" to anything as there is no room for movement horizontally or vertically (they unfold in the car to maximise space)

I have seen several photos of cars and cages after accidents all of which the dogs escaped unharmed from.

HTH

[MTS]

I am going to suggest you contact CAB boxes for initial advice.

http://www.cabtransitboxes.co.uk/

[kennel maiden]

My dogs travel in a lockable box in my car. It is always unlocked while driving though, so dogs can be removed quickly and easily in case of an accident. I have had an accident with 4 dogs in the box. The car was written off but the dogs and box were fine. I would never have loose dogs travelling in car or boot. You wouldn't do it with children or other passengers...

[spaniel fan]

At 30mph, for example, a 60lb dog would be thrown forward with a force equivalent to 1200lbs – enough to kill a driver or passenger.

HTH

my handbag is looking very dangerous now

[kennel maiden]

At 30mph, for example, a 60lb dog would be thrown forward with a force equivalent to 1200lbs – enough to kill a driver or passenger.

HTH

my handbag is looking very dangerous now

LOL I hope ur handbag doesn't weigh 60lb!!!

[Judy]

My poor Mother suffered a crushed vertebrum when a car ran into the back of the car behind them! They had a small wicker picnic basket on the back seat and the force of the impact sent it flying into the back of her seat. I've often wondered what speed the car at the very rear must have been doing to cause that. Whatever, it wrote off four cars.

[scotsgent]

Yes - surely it doesn't matter how posh your box is, unless its fixed (bolted down), it will travel in a crash.

Cheers, Terry

[trekmoor]

I have had just one accident while travelling with my dog in a cage in the back of an estate car. I hit a pothole at only about 30-40 mph. The back door lock gave way , the back door flew wide open and the cage and dog slid out onto the road . It was a homemade cage and I'd be the first to admit my woodwork efforts aren't pretty but they are strong . Both the dog and the cage were fine..... but it would have been a different story if a lorry had been following me.

I travelled about 90 miles once to a shoot in a friends car pulling a 4 wheeled "proper" dog trailer. When we arrived at the shoot we discovered one of the trailers wheels had fallen off somewhere ! We had to return home like that on just 3 wheels and we had no problems but if that had been a two wheeled trailer !!!!!!!!! OUCH !

Wullie

[Muirdubh]

I took a photo the last time I saw Wullie arrive at a training day with Charlie...
















Sorry... I couldn't resist...