Just as seat belts are compulsory for humans or a hands-free device is a road safety requirement when using a phone in the car, so too is the Securing cargo To this. The legislator also considers dogs as such, so proper securing of the four-legged friend is mandatory. Anyone who lets their pet ride freely in the car and is caught must expect a fine of 35 to 75 euros. In addition, in the event of an accident, the comprehensive insurance does not usually apply if the unsecured dog is the cause of the accident. In this case, the dog owner is left sitting on the damage.
Unsecured dog as a danger for road traffic
However, it is not only a question of money, also represents an unsecured dog a great danger for themselves and other passengers of the car represents: – Even during a strong evasive or braking maneuver, an unsecured dog in the car significantly increases the risk of injury to both man and dog.
– In a collision of 50 km/h a dog would fly through the interior with thirty times its body weight. Thereby a 20 kg heavy animal would be hit with over half a ton load impact. This is life threatening.
– An unsecured dog can, for example, run into the steering wheel or distract the driver and cause an accident.
– In the event of an accident, a shocked or injured dog that is free to move around inside the vehicle can interfere with the work of rescue workers.
Dog while driving therefore always secure, even for short distances! It is not an option to hold the dog on the lap: In the event of an accident, the human is strapped in, but the dog flies into the windshield.
How to secure the dog in the car?
There are various options for securing dogs in cars. The ADAC has tested the different safety systems and has come to the following results:
1. Transport box
Transport boxes made of plastic offer for little money a lot of security. They are best stored in the footwell or in the trunk, whereby they must be additionally secured with belts in the trunk so that the dog is not thrown around together with the box in the event of a collision. The transport boxes are also available in metal. They offer even greater protection in the event of an accident.
2. Cloth bags with Isofix system
Fabric bags with Isofix system offer good protection for dogs, as long as they are the properly fitted become. The right size of the bag is also important.
3. Safety belt
Car harnesses and belts form the Basic requirement To secure dogs without a box. The stable and padded harnesses are connected to the car, for example, by the Isofix system. So the dog can neither slide forward nor to the side. When buying the harness, pay attention to the following points: – fully sewn eyelets
– stable hooks made of steel or aluminum
– good fit (try on dog before buying)
– do not use collars, but harnesses with double attachment!
4. Rear seat barriers
Backseat barriers alone are not sufficient for securing dogs in cars and are suitable only as an additive. The dog must always also be secured by a box or belt. The rear seat barrier prevents the dog from being thrown forward, but it can still crash into the door panels and injure itself.
5. Partition grids for the trunk
Similar to rear seat barriers, partition grids for the trunk will also do not as the only security measure from. The dog in the trunk must be additionally secured with a box or a belt.
6. Lattice boxes for the trunk
Lattice boxes for the trunk are a practical solution To secure dogs. It is important that the boxes are not too big, so that the dogs are not thrown around inside the box. The box should provide space for the dog to lie down, but not to roam around. In addition, the box must be additionally secured if it does not fill the entire trunk.