My kids were upset this morning. As we were driving, we saw a driver of a flat bed truck, allowing his dog to ride, unprotected and unrestrained, on the back of this truck. There wasn't even a side of the truck that the dog could lay against. He had to keep moving to keep his balance. Maybe the dog "likes" to ride on the back of the truck, but at 50 mph, it seemed risky to the dog's life. My kids were very worried that the dog would fall off and get killed. I don't really know that much about dogs and vehicles...maybe this is fine to do?
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180/r34498/0325080958.jpg
"Only a life lived for others, is the life worthwhile" - Albert Einstein
This REALLY bothers me ...
This REALLY bothers me ... some people are so irresponsible when it comes to their animals and pets, it's ridiculous. I was just trying to find out whether or not this is a violation in regards to an animal transportation violation or something of that nature. I would love to report this yo-yo for this ... not even to be malicious, but so that he's aware that it's wrong, because chances are he probably hasn't even got a clue ... obviously not if he's doing this ... poor dog!!
Last week I saw a teenager
Last week I saw a teenager riding in the back of a pick-up truck. Is that legal in Arizona??? That would NEVER be allowed back east! The police in Virginia will pull people over if their kids aren't in safety seats or if they aren't wearing seatbelts.
My stomach did flips watching this truck flying down Ray Road at speeds topping 50 mph. I just hope she made it home ok.
Oh, I hate to see things
Oh, I hate to see things like that! I don't know what the laws are in AZ, but you gotta figure that's illegal? (not to even mention inhumane, irresponsible, just plain dumb....)
I hate seeing things like
I hate seeing things like that also. I dont know what people are thinking sometimes. That would be nice to nail him with some violation.
I agree with you and your
I agree with you and your children's feelings. Before having my son I worked with animals as a tech at a couple vet clinics. I can honestly say that I have never worked on a dog as a result of falling off/out of a truck like that, but the principle is not good.
I think the same thing every time I see dogs in the back of a truck-either restrained or not. Even if the dog is restrained, it can still fall, and then choke.
We have small dogs, so they are in the car when they come along. But, if we ever adopt a large dog and there isn't room in the car-it will be in the back in a crate.
Maybe it was a good lesson for your kids, though, in terms of responsiblity. We have been given animals, and we need to make sure that we are doing what we can to provide for them, and keep them safe.
No, it's not fine to do.
No, it's not fine to do. It's obviously dangerous for the dog, but it is also dangerous for other drivers. I remember reading a newspaper article, published right around the time I moved here ('96), about a dog riding in the bed of a pickup truck. The pickup was involved in an accident on an overpass; the dog flew out of the bed of the pickup, over the side of the overpass, and through the windshield of a car passing underneath. The driver was killed (as was the dog, needless to say). While this is a rare thing to happen, why take unnecessary risks?
I'm just not sure that it's
I'm just not sure that it's illegal, unfortunately. I mean, they allow kids to ride in the back of pick up trucks too, don't they? I *think* that the law says something about requiring all passengers to use a safety belt IF AVAILABLE? Anyway, maybe someone who works for azcentral.com can see if this driver acted in any way that could be reprimanded or fined? I got his license plate, just in case!
"Only a life lived for others, is the life worthwhile" - Albert Einstein
I remember reading a Dear
I remember reading a Dear Abby column a year or two ago about this. Someone wrote in & said how he had always thought it looked so cool having his dog ride in the back of his truck. Unfortunately, the dog fell out of the truck on the highway & died. He wrote to warn other people not to do this. It makes me so angry when people put their dogs in the back of their trucks. What a danger to the dog & the other drivers on the highway. If there isn't a law against this, there should be.
Lattemom is the mother of three energetic kids ages 6, 8 & 11 and a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com.
That definately sounds like
That definately sounds like a dangerous situation for the dog. But there are no restrictions on people riding in the back of trucks, so I can't imagine there are any protections for animals.
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 6 and 2.
You're on target. It's
You're on target. It's cruel.
It may be legal, but it
It may be legal, but it isn't fine. Like LongWayHome said not only could the dog get hurt, which would be bad, but other drivers and passangers could get hurt by a big dog like that flying off, or by trying to avoid it, should it fall off.
Why haul a dog around anyway??
Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.
I know that there are in
I know that there are in fact laws about loose items in a flatbed truck. Seems like with a dog it would be common sense to not do that and yes, it is also a potential problem for other drivers. The law says something like Items in the back must be secured or covered.
Nice to see this bothers other people too. They should be in the bar with a doggie seat belt.