travel for dogs

[davidmarsden]

my friend are driving over from holland to enter their dog at crufts. they told me that to drive through germany the dog has to be restrained in a harness and have asked if there are any travel restrictions in england. can the dog just travel in an open boot ( ie no parcel shelf) or can the dog just sit with passengers in the rear seat

[echokilo]

I am 95% sure the dog must either be restrained in a harness, in a cage or behind a fitted dog guard ...... but whether this is the law or not, it is cerrtainly safer ... I wouldn't want a lose dog hitting me in the back of the head as it flew forward in an impact ........ seems the Germans have the right idea... safer for humans and dogs alike. A dog guard is minimal cost compared to a life. I use a dog guard and on the rare occasion my dog sit beside me, she wears an RAC harness attached to the seatbelt

[fredpuli47]

The short answer is that a harness or a dog guard keeping the dog in the back of the vehicle is desirable.Be on the safe side.Although there were rumours that it was to be an offence not to have a dog on a harness, I've never been able to find any Act of Parliament, or regulation made under an Act of Parliament, which says so in terms.

However, a dog which is free to move around inside a car may, obviously, present a risk.It is an offence to use a vehicle on a public road when not in proper control of the vehicle (an offence claimed when a driver was eating a takeaway meal when driving and one which has been extended, specifically, to cover use of mobile phones).You can see how permitting a dog to be free in a car could give rise to such a complaint.It's going to depend on the circumstances of each case whether the dog does bring the consequence of the driver not being in proper control.

[lankeela]

Although my dogs always travel in cages, there is no actual law which requires this, but in the Highway Code it does say that

"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, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars."

[davidmarsden]

thanks for all the answers.it seems reasonable that if they use a harness etc. to travel through germany all they have to do is leave it on

[Bettyboo22]

I think this site might help-

http://www.petsandtravel.co.uk/pet-safety-car. html

[Banali]

Hi I actually know someone who had 3 points on their licence for having an unrestrained dog in the car whilst driving. This was in Dunfermline.