Dog car safety is a priority, and it’s no unusual habit for responsible dog owners to ensure their pets are protected and secure during car rides. Yet how sure are you that your safety practices aren’t breaking the state rules, like the dog seat belt law and other animal regulations?
Traveling with your dog, if not done correctly, can be dangerous. Your pets can become a distraction or a projectile during a car collision. This may endanger their lives, yours, and the other passengers in the vehicle.
Hence, there are laws in place regarding driving with your dog. However, these vary greatly from state to state and may sometimes be ambiguous. Read this article to fully comprehend each state rule on driving with your dog to avoid penalties as well as putting your canine’s life at risk.
Cases of Dog Car Accidents
Unrestrained pets inside vehicles can cause car accidents. There have already been various reports of these unfortunate cases in many places worldwide.
Dog Sticking Out of the Window
One incident involves a pooch sticking their head out of the window, ultimately falling out in a minor car crash in Thailand. While settlements were made for the damages in the vehicle, the outcome would have been severely dire if the collision was stronger or if both cars were traveling faster.
Unrestrained Pet Dog Jumping Out of the Car Window
A shocking video showed a six-month-old puppy named Sophie jumping out of a moving Tesla on a Woodland Hills, California freeway. Right after the impact, the pup rolled down the road with a truck approaching her direction.
Luckily, the truck driver was able to slow down, and Sophie was able to get off the road. It was a close call. Sophie suffered a fractured hip and took eight weeks to fully recover.
Distracted Driver Kills Woman
In a Nottingham incident, a driver who was being distracted by his unrestrained dog crashed into a taxi, which fatally injured a 77-year-old woman. She later died in the hospital.
These are just some of the circulating news involving dogs in car accidents. While their cases differ, they all have one thing in common: their dogs weren’t restrained in the vehicle.
Dog Seat Belt Laws by State
“Are dog seat belts required by law?” This is a lingering question for many responsible dog owners who frequently travel in the car with their dogs.
Dog seat belt requirements vary by state in the United States. Currently, no federal law requires pets to be restrained inside a car or vehicle. However, some of them have passed specific regulations regarding the transportation of dogs in vehicles.
We’re diving into each state’s laws regarding driving with your dog.
Alabama
There are currently no animal transportation laws passed by the Alabama legislature mandating pet owners to make their dogs wear seat belts in a vehicle during a road trip.
However, negligence, endangering your dog, or any other acts that violate the Animal Protection Laws of Alabama may result in penalties, jail time, or restitution, among other possible legal consequences.
Alaska
There are no animal welfare laws regarding unrestrained pets in moving vehicles. However, individual cities may have passed laws to address this matter. In Anchorage, a driver may be fined $50 to $1,000 if caught driving with a loose dog in the back of a pickup.
It’s best to check the laws of each city to avoid committing law violations.
Arizona
Arizona doesn’t also have pet seat belt laws. However, drivers may be charged under the distracted-driving law if they’re found distracted by their pets.
In 2018, SB 1116 was proposed by Arizona Senator John Kavanagh. This dog-related bill prohibits driving with a dog (or other mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians) on the driver’s lap. This is a finable offense, and violators must pay a $100 fine when caught.
Unfortunately, this did not pass through the Senate.
Arkansas
No dog seat belt laws explicitly require owners to restrain their dogs during a drive in Arkansas. However, you may still be pulled over and issued a ticket if the police officer determines you are distracted while driving, as this somewhat fits the existing distracted driving law.
California
There is no dog seat belt law in California, as dog owners are not required to restrain their pets so long as they’re in an enclosed space in the motor vehicle or if the car has side and tail racks at least 46 inches high.
However, Cal. Vehicle Code § 23117 requires any animal transported in the back of the vehicle “in a space intended for any load” to be cross-tethered to the vehicle or protected by a secure crate, cage, or container.
This prevents the animal from falling, jumping, or being thrown off the vehicle.
Colorado
There are no dog seat belt laws or dog-related rules while driving in Colorado. However, drivers may still be fined if found distracted by their pets while in a moving vehicle.
Connecticut
No dog seat belt law is enacted in Connecticut. However, the state has a distracted-driving law, which states that having a dog in your lap in a moving vehicle is acceptable, provided that you don’t engage in any activity with them.
If the dog causes the driver to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner, the driver will be penalized and fined $100.
Delaware
Delaware has no law requiring dogs to be restrained during a drive.
Florida
There is no dog seat belt law in Florida. Drivers are also not required to contain their dogs in a crate or restrain them using a dog car harness during transport.
Georgia
Georgia has no law requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Hawaii
Hawaii’s state laws do not specifically touch the concern regarding restraining dogs in the car. However, its H R S § 291C-124 law states that the driver should not hold any animal in their lap or allow them to be in the driver’s immediate area, which may interfere with the driver’s control over the vehicle’s driving mechanism.
Idaho
Idaho has no law requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Illinois
Illinois also has no laws requiring drivers to restrain their companion animal while driving.
Indiana
No laws in Indiana require drivers to make their dogs wear seat belts or be contained in a dog car crate during transport.
Iowa
No law in Iowa specifies that driving with a dog is illegal. However, pets and other factors, such as a fully loaded front due to groceries or other loads, which may give the driver a hard time operating the vehicle, can be considered a violation.
Kansas
Kansas has no laws requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Kentucky
Kentucky also has no laws requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Louisiana
No dog seat belt laws in Louisiana require drivers to make their dogs wear a seat belt or be contained in a dog car crate during transport.
Maine
Maine does not require dogs to wear seat belts or other car restraint equipment in an enclosed vehicle.
However, section 2807 restricts drivers from transporting their dogs in the open portion of the vehicle, such as the open truck bed, unless the animal is protected and prevented from jumping, falling, or being thrown off the vehicle.
Maryland
Maryland doesn’t have dog seat belt laws, but note that the 2013 Maryland Transportation Code Section 21 1104 states that it is prohibited for a driver to have objects, materials, or any type of obstructions that may interfere with their ability to control the vehicle.
This may apply to dogs sitting on laps or being a distraction to the vehicle operator.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has no laws requiring dog owners to place their pets on car seat belts using restraint equipment, such as harnesses or crates.
However, the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90, Section 13 states that no person can operate a vehicle with anything that may interfere with or impede its proper operation.
Michigan
Michigan only has House Bill 5277 which prohibits drivers from driving with their pets on their lap. A violation of this bill is proposed to charge a fine of $100 for first-time violators and $200 for subsequent violations. This bill has yet to become law.
Minnesota
Minnesota Statutes Animals and Property (Ch. 343-348) § 343.24. states that any animal carried upon any vehicle should be provided with suitable crates, racks, cars, or cages where they can sit or lie down.
Although this law points to livestock animals, quoting “any animal” in the rule may include dogs.
Mississippi
There are also no existing dog seat belt laws in Mississippi. Still the state’s Dog and Cat Pet Protection Law of 2011, MS Code Section 97 41 16, makes it an offense if pet owners carry or confine any domesticated cat or dog cruelly.
This may include any inhumane manner of transporting the said animals.
Missouri
Missouri has no laws requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Montana
Montana also has no laws requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Nebraska
Nebraska also has no laws requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Nevada
There are no existing car pet restraint laws in Nevada. However, the statute NRS 574.190 states that anyone who cruelly carries an animal will be subject to a penalty.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire doesn’t have a law for dogs to wear seat belts within the vehicle’s cab. However, when transporting them in the back of the truck, the vehicle must either be enclosed or have side and tail racks with a height of at least 46 inches, which should extend vertically from the floor, according to the statutes.
The dog should also be cross-tethered to the vehicle or secured or contained in a cage or crate to prevent them from jumping, falling, or being thrown from the car.
New Jersey
There’s an enacted dog seat belt law in New Jersey, which requires pet owners to fasten their non-crated dogs or cats using a modified seat belt, tether, or safety harness. It’s also important to note that the New Jersey regulation is against carrying any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner.
New Mexico
No law requiring dog owners to restrain their pets using a harness, seat belt, or crate exists in New Mexico.
New York
No law requiring dog owners to restrain their pets using a harness, seat belt, or crate exists in New York.
North Carolina
No law in North Carolina requires dog owners to restrain their pets using a dog seat belt harness or crate. However, they shouldn’t become distractions while you’re driving.
North Dakota
North Dakota has no law requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Ohio
Ohio has no specific laws regarding transporting or driving with unrestrained dogs. However, the police officers of the Mantua Department can cite drivers caught distracted by their pets and those with pets on their laps. This falls under the new distracted driver laws.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has no law banning drivers from holding their pets on their laps. Still, their animal cruelty laws prohibit drivers from carrying or transporting animals in an inhumane or reckless manner.
Oregon
Oregon requires any dog riding in an open area to be protected by a framework, pet carrier, or other restraining equipment to keep them from falling from the vehicle.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has no law requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Rhode Island
It’s unlawful for any person to drive with or transport animals unless they are in an enclosed area of the vehicle, under the physical control of a person, or safely restrained and harnessed other than a neck restraint (dog collar).
Drivers violating this law may be charged $50 to $100 and may increase up to $200 for subsequent offenses as stated in the General Laws, 1956, § 31-22-28.
South Carolina
There is no law requiring dog owners to restrain their pets using a harness, seat belt, or crate in South Carolina. Still, dog owners should note that they can still be ticketed if their pets obstruct the view or if their situation in the vehicle is unsafe.
South Dakota
South Dakota has no law requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Tennessee
A Tennessee bill prohibits drivers from having their dogs on their laps or between the “driver or the driver’s door.” Violators will typically be charged with a Class C misdemeanor and may be charged $50 and up to 30 days in jail.
Texas
Texas has no dog seat belt law requiring drivers to restrain their pets in the vehicle. Still, animal cruelty laws prohibit drivers from carrying or transporting animals in an inhumane manner.
Utah
Utah has no dog seat belt law requiring drivers to restrain their pets in the vehicle. Still, animal cruelty laws prohibit drivers from carrying or transporting animals cruelly.
Vermont
There are no specific laws for unrestrained dogs in Vermont. Some localities though require dogs to be restrained inside the vehicle within city limits. It’s important to check the local rules if you’re traveling in one of the state’s cities.
Virginia
There are no specific laws for unrestrained dogs in Virginia. However, the Code of Virginia § 3.2-6508 states that any transported animal should have adequate space in their primary enclosure.
Washington
Washington doesn’t have a dog seat belt law, but transporting or confining animals in a cruel manner is illegal. In addition, while having an unrestrained animal in the vehicle isn’t unlawful, some cases may get you charged by lawmakers and law enforcement officials for distracted driving.
West Virginia
West Virginia has no law requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Wisconsin
There are no specific regulations concerning driving with your dog, but the existing distracted driving laws still apply. This revolves around any activity inside the vehicle that keeps your eyes off the road.
Wyoming
Wyoming has no law requiring drivers to restrain their dogs while driving.
Dog seat belt laws don’t exist in every state of America. Yet, some regulations guide dog owners on how to carry or transport their pets.
These rules primarily fall under the Animal Welfare Act, the primary federal animal protection law covering the handling, care, treatment, and transportation of any live creature or animal. For the most part, dogs must be in humane conditions in the vehicle.
Distracted driving laws also remind drivers to prioritize safety by removing distractions and keeping their eyes on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Safest Way to Keep Dogs Safe in the Car?
The safest way to keep dogs safe in the car is by having them restrained using a car harness or crash-proof dog crate. Either of the equipment keeps your dog from moving around the vehicle or getting thrown away in the case of a car collision.
Even though many states aren’t strict about restraining pets inside the vehicle, responsible dog ownership requires you to take precautionary measures to keep your canine protected and secure.
Can a Dog Ride in the Front Seat in Texas?
There are no laws regarding dogs riding in the front seat in Texas. However, it’s still generally advised that canines be restrained in the back seat since the front seat is prone to frontal crashes, which may seriously risk your dog’s life.
Is It Illegal to Drive With Your Pet Dog in Your Lap in Georgia?
It’s not illegal to drive with a dog in your lap in Georgia. However, if the pet distracts you while driving, you may be charged with violating the distracted driving law enacted in the state.
Is It Illegal to Leave Your Dog in the Car With the Windows Down in Texas?
In Texas, no existing animal statutes state that leaving your dog in the car with the windows down is illegal. Yet you must remember that anything that could harm your dog in the car due to negligence can be an animal cruelty law violation.
Final Word
The codes regarding dog car safety vary a lot from state to state, and you must be informed of their policies to avoid violating their laws.
Also, although some of these places aren’t particularly concerned with regulating the practices of dog owners in the car, it remains a prerequisite to never compromise the security of your companion animals while driving.
That said, despite the absence of dog seat belt laws in certain localities, you must still consider restraining your dog in the vehicle. Various equipment, such as dog harnesses and crash-tested car crates, are available primarily for car use.
With your dog strapped securely, you are preventing them from becoming driving distractions or becoming at risk of severe injuries or even death in the event of a car crash.
Key Takeaways
- The laws concerning transporting dogs differ from one state to another.
- Although dog seat belt laws don’t exist in many localities in the United States, you may still be charged if you violate the animal cruelty act of the general distracted driving laws imposed.
- The best way to protect your dog’s well-being is by restraining them in the car using a high-quality harness or crate strapped in the car’s dog seat belt system in the back seat or in other secure areas of the vehicle, such as the cargo or truck bed.
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