Pets And Pickups
I’ve previously done posts on keeping dogs safe when riding in cars. Today I came across an article concerning a bill from Maryland trying to ban dogs in the back of pick-up trucks.
The legislation would have required that pets be caged or harnessed when riding in the back of a pickup truck. I didn’t realize that 25 states already have similar laws in place.
“I love dogs,” said the senator from the lower Eastern Shore, minutes before he joined a majority of the chamber in voting to kill legislation that would have required pets to be caged or harnessed when riding in the back of a pickup truck.
The lopsided 30 to 17 vote, hailed as a victory for the rural way of life, put to rest one of the most controversial issues to emerge during the first month of the 2009 session of the General Assembly.
Although Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus loves his dog, he voted no. Sen. Norman R. Stone Jr, the bill’s sponsor, along with other proponents expressed the bill is just common sense, and about the safety of other motorists as well as the safety of the dogs.
In the end the bill did not pass, opponents happy because the rural way of life will be preserved and Rover will still get to go for a ride.
Let me know what you think about this type of bill, give me a bark.
* Oliver knows the importance of car safety.
Well after seeing a dog in the back of a pickup truck end up on the freeway-eventually dead (he was even tied in) I ALWAYS warn people of the dangers of their dogs being in the back of a truck. Breaks my heart.
i will always despise it when i see a dog riding in the back of the truck, and unfortunately since i live in a more rural area, i see it all to often.
i understand that during this time it’s the owners choice, and respect that choice, but that doesn’t mean i have to like it. i feel that it is horribly irresponsibe. it’s a living breathing being that counts on its people to keep it safe, and riding loose in the back of a truck is anything but safe. to me it’s a perfect example of the old saying, just because you can do it, doens’t mean that you should.
in fact, my very first ever chesapeke retriever was one that my dad found on the side of the highway all banged up because she had fallen out of the back of someones truck. she was lucky that she wasn’t sereously hurt, and that my dad found her and nursed her back to health.
I live on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and am always wincing at the sight of beautiful dogs loose in the back of the Shoreman’s Cadillac – a pickup. Many times I have seen a dog lose his footing and fall – fortunately so far in the bed of the truck and not over the side.
Also, when I am walking my dogs I have been passed by pickups with dogs in the back going bananas at the sight of fellow canines. It is a wonder some of them don’t just bail out to join our party. Well, so far anyway. I regret that these dog-loving representatives couldn’t show that love and a little more sense.
Mama of the Bell Pack.
See Maryland animal control laws 212.8 E
covers this Law making it illegal for a animal to ride in an open bed truck
It scares me to death when I see a dog in the back of a truck. It’s hot on it’s feet and his body.Could fall or jump out(have seen it happen and the truck just kept on going)I stopped and took the dog to the Vets,had him for 12 years after that. I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE LAWS BEING PASSED TO STOP DOGS FROM RIDING IN THE BACK OF TRUCKS. IT”S ABOUT TIME A LAW IS PASSED THAT MAKES SENSE.
This goes back to not thinking of a dog as a member of the family, but just a dog. There is so many things could happen to a dog riding in the back of a pickup. Incase the owner gets rear eneded, the dog risk being thrown out onto the road and being hit. If a dog is riding in the back of a pickup and as my dogs do, even in the car, sees another dog, barks and decides to jump and go chase the dog otr even a human walking along the road. There are such dangers out there for dogs riding in the back of pickups. And really even in cars with windows rolled all of the way down. I have an SUV, and I may roll my windows down when my dogs are in there with me, but I do not roll them down enough where my dogs can get their bodies out of the window. But then again, there are parents who will let kids ride in the back of a pickup.
We live in Orlando where even a huge city like this there are still foolich people that let their dogs in the back of trucks and letting them hang out of windows even. Don’t people realize just how dangerous that is! They need to just imagine for a moment what would happen if something happend to their car when their dogs were in the back of a truck, halfway out a window, or just roaming around the moving car at all. Binx has always used a harness that has a loop on the back that we got from the pet store made to put the seatbelt through and he is buckled in just like anyone else in the car! I firmly believe that if the law is good for people for seatbelts that it should be good for the dogs also! The last thing that I want to be a witness to is seeing a poor dog being ejected from a car that is for sure! That is my opinion!
While I am an advocate of securing your pet inside your vehicle, I think Big Brother is big enough already.
Rather than focus on legislation that dictates exactly what people can and cannot do when it comes to their pets and transportation, I would rather see toughened animal cruelty laws. Ideally, I would like to see federal legislation that defines cruelty and neglect while outlining specific fines and punishment that can effectively deter despicable acts of cruelty and neglect against our furred friends.
I witnessed the horriffic aftermath of a highway accident involving a pickup.
Apparently – a pickup with a german shepard in the back had to break suddenly on the freeway – which caused the dog to launch from the back of the truck right into oncoming traffic.
It was a terrible.
After working at an animal ER for nearly 6 years, I saw more than a few cases of animals dying or severely injured from riding in the bed of a pickup. Even if restrained by a leash, they can flip over and…well…you can imagine the outcome from that. If there is no room inside the vehicle, then they should be placed in a crate that is adequately secured. It’s just common sense.
I don’t understand the Senator’s logic. If he loves dogs, then he would understand the safety issue and wouldn’t have voted ‘no’.
We have a pick up, and were so lucky to come across a local guy that makes a Pooch Hooch. It is a wonderful contraption that is custom made for the back of each truck. It keeps the dogs safely in, keeps them cool, it even has 2 water spigots as part of the system. We bought one for each of the trucks we have owned. It is light weight & easy to take off for when you don’t need it, and it is way cheaper than buying a topper. I wish more people would buy these. They are the ultimate solution. We couldn’t live without ours. I think he has a website still, but not sure. Pooch Hooch.
It scares me to death when I see a dog in the back of a truck. It’s hot on it’s feet and his body.Could fall or jump out(have seen it happen and the truck just kept on going)I stopped and took the dog to the Vets,had him for 12 years after that. I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE LAWS BEING PASSED TO STOP DOGS FROM RIDING IN THE BACK OF TRUCKS. IT”S ABOUT TIME A LAW IS PASSED THAT MAKES SENSE. They only pass BAD laws,so they won’t pass this as law.
Robert…That is a county law, animal control laws vary by county. The one you mentioned, 212.8 E, is from St. Mary’s County.
The bill that was turned down would have made it illegal statewide.
“Although it was not passed in Maryland, it is illegal to drive with a dog in the bed of a pick-up in many cities, counties, and states. To name a few: Florida, New Hampshire, California, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Virginia, Washington, Texas, and Oregon have laws prohibiting and/or restricting animals in cargo beds of trucks. Animal control or State websites can provide information about animal ordinances that are in effect.”
Whether in the back of a pickup OR inside a car/SUV/van, a dog not secured during a 40 mph crash becomes a 40 mph projectile!
I live in a rural town and a lot of the cattle men and farmers around here let there dogs ride in the back of there trucks I tell them not to but they look at me like I’ve lost my mind. It’s common practice for them. I think it’s stupid in all senses of the word. I would never let my babies stay in the back of a truck. Your article was great.
There was a local farmer who had a blue heeler a few years back. The dog would ride in the back of his pickup. In addition, the heeler would stand ON TOP of the tool box, directly behind the cab, and put his front feet on top of the CAB. This was all while the farmer was driving down the highway. The dog was around a long, long time; he must have been part mountain goat. But, it scared the bejeezus out of anyone who met them on the road. And, what’s the hooey about “preserving the rural way of life”? What’s that got to do with the safety of your pet?
I live practically in the middle of nowhere (1,000 people in “town” and 45 mins to an hour to the nearest city).
I see dogs in the backs of pickups all the time, sometimes I even see 4-5 dogs in the back. Some are chained to the truck bed (Worse then having the dog loose! Break its neck if you have a wreck or stop suddenly!) People don’t realize either that leaving a dog in the back of a pickup, (Texas is ALWAYS hot!) it can get its paws burnt, sometimes severely!
My dad even said he saw a truck on an interstate with a GSD in the back, the dog jumped or fell out and violently rolled down the highway. Its “owners” didn’t even care if he was okay! They just slowed down, let the dog jump back in and go on their way! It makes me sick how people can have a dog that they really don’t care about, but they’re allowed to own it because they’re not technically abusing it.
Wish my state (And for rural areas too!) would pass this law!
I see this all the time on the freeway driving back and forth from school and my parent’s house – and I’ve also seen lots of dead dogs on the side of that same highway, in the middle of nowhere with no houses around, so no doubt from jumping or falling out of the back of trucks. I even once saw a dog climb on top of some stuff to reach the top of the truck cab as the truck was turning. The dog was chained and almost fell, which would have broken its neck. It’s just terrible and everywhere should have laws regulating this.
I have an Irish wolfhound mix. My husband is always wanting to put her in the back of the truck and drive on the interstate. I have fought him on this a won. I know he’s going to do it at some point. He doesn’t see why it’s a bad idea! He thinks if she’s tied in, she’ll be okay. She’s a big clumsy dog anyway…I can’t bear to see her on a slick bed liner in the back of the truck!!!! She’s a timid dog and I know this will frighten her! I’m happy to see others feel the same way! This subject is upsetting to me! I suppose I’m looking for advice!
Dogs in truck petition for Texas:
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?SaveDogs&1