“How many dogs die in car accidents?” This is a question you may not want to think about. Still, it underscores the importance of ensuring your pet’s safety. Although there’s no readily available exact figure to answer this question, there’s an estimated hundreds to thousands of dog deaths that have happened on the road.
Car accidents encompass a range of tragic incidents, from dogs getting hit by cars to disasters occurring while they are passengers inside the vehicle.
In this post, we uncover the reality behind dog deaths in car accidents. We will also learn the factors that lead to these incidents and the risks dogs face on the road. Additionally, we’ll be exploring various ways to prevent such accidents from happening.
The Number Behind Dog Car Accidents
It’s common to hear cases of road accidents involving drivers in the news. However, many of these reports overlook the involvement of pets, such as dogs, in colliding with vehicles.
Below are figures you can look at to shed light on these unnoticed data.
- Stray dogs account for 69% of road traffic accidents.
- In 600 cases of dogs involved in urban motor vehicle accidents, 31% suffered from minor wounds, 87% of the remaining 410 dogs sustained skeletal injuries, 27% from soft organ injuries, and 36% from multiple region injuries. Meanwhile, the overall fatality rate is 12.5%.
- In Spain and Europe, 95% of domestic animals are involved in animal-vehicle collisions, 80% of which are dogs.
- Around 4 in every 1,000 dogs are involved in road traffic accidents, with younger and male dogs at the most risk. Additionally, over ⅕ of all dogs died due to the incident.
- Yearly, hundreds of pets die due to extreme heat after being left in parked vehicles.
These statistics are just a few among many. Nonetheless, they’re all tragic and unfortunate, especially knowing that most of these cases could have been avoided.
Dog Car Accidents Based on Factors
Understanding the common factors contributing to dog car accidents is key to developing a prevention plan.
In this section, we are delving into time, season, location, certain behaviors, and vehicle types and how they influence the likelihood and outcomes of tragic road accidents involving dogs.
Time
The time of day impacts the likelihood of car accidents. Nighttime presents a higher risk due to low visibility and factors like drivers rushing to get home after work.
Additionally, traffic density often peaks during dawn and dusk, which coincides with the times when dogs are most active. As a result, the chances of dog-related car accidents significantly increase during these periods.
Season
Taking into account that during the summer, nearly 85% of Americans travel and 100 million to road trip over 250 miles, the statistics for road traffic accidents will soar.
In an American Automobile Association (AAA) survey conducted in 2010, 80% of drivers who know the dangers of driving with an unrestrained pet are co-piloted with their canines, and only 16% use seat belts or car restraint systems. With this concerning trend and the travel peak happening, pet accidents may happen more frequently than at any other time of the year.
Aside from this, dogs are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, especially during the warmer months, after being left inside a hot car for a while. If the temperature outside is 70 degrees Fahrenheit, an elapsed time of 30 minutes increases the inside temperature to 104 degrees.
This is hot enough to unalive any trapped dog, especially dogs with short muzzles or respiratory issues.
Location
Urban areas with frequent intersections and heavy traffic have higher rates of dog car accidents. In 2020, about 70% of the 10,626 fatalities in intersection crashes occurred in urban places compared to just 28% in rural areas.
However, some rural areas may have higher speed limits; hence, car accidents involving animals, especially dogs, can be more severe.
Locations, such as dog parks or other places where dogs are commonly walked, can also greatly influence automobile accident rates.
Driving Behavior
Driver behavior is also a factor influencing road accidents. In 2021, around 13,384 deaths resulted due to drunk-driving crashes. No specific numbers are stated regarding how many dogs die in car accidents due to DUIs. Still, there could be a few, considering there are other contributing factors that increase the chances.
Distracted driving is another reason for dog accidents by car drivers who don’t focus on the road. Older drivers with pets in the car are more likely to end up in motor vehicle collisions. Apart from the fact that they have their pets potentially serving as distractions, this is also due to their slow and cognitive response times during driving.
Dog Behavior
Dog behavior involves canines chasing motor vehicles, running into the street, being off-leash in unsecured areas, or sticking their head out of the car window.
Mitigating these risks can be done by restraining your dog in the car’s backseat with the windows up if you’re traveling by car or harness training your dog and ensuring they’re in a fenced yard and monitored during playtime if they’re in your yard.
If you’re taking them out for walks, put them on a leash at all times. This is crucial, especially if you live near the road.
Vehicle Type
The vehicle type involved during the road traffic accident is also a contributing factor. Larger vehicles, like trucks, can cause severe injuries to a dog. However, this doesn’t mean that smaller cars equate to minor injuries.
For the most part, an accident where a dog got hit by a car may cause injuries, such as lung contusions, limb and pelvic fractures, and sacroiliac luxation to the animal.
Understanding the Risks
Regarding dog car accidents, two primary risk factors that lead to these incidents are the lack of pet restraints and distractions.
In a survey, only a little over half, or 55% of Americans, restrain their dogs in the vehicle using crates or harnesses. Due to the lack of dog safety in the car, driving with an unrestrained animal inside can turn them into distractions and a deadly projectile, which may cause serious injuries not only to the dog but also to the other passengers.
Off-leash dogs are also at risk of rushing toward traffic and getting hit. To whom the liability goes varies, such as if the dog isn’t leashed by the owner in areas where it’s required to be, then the owner is held liable. However, if the car is speeding or driving recklessly, they driver may be held accountable—yet if both parties are negligent, liability will be shared.
Ways to Prevent Dog Car Accidents
As dog owners, the safety of your canine must be a priority. Whether it’s a leisurely drive around the neighborhood or a long road trip, there are necessary precautions you must take. These will significantly reduce the risk of car accidents involving your dogs.
Below are some practical measures you can implement to protect your pet from the dangers of the road:
- Practice caution and safety: Make it a habit to secure your dog inside the car when traveling. This not only protects them during car crashes, but you could also avoid dog seat belt violations. If you’re just walking them, ensure they’re leashed in public areas to prevent them from running into traffic.
- Take advantage of technology: Consider installing a barrier or a tall fence deep enough to confine your dog in your property. You may also invest in a GPS tracker so you know where to locate them if they escape or get lost.
- Invest in dog training: Teach your dog verbal commands, like “stop” and “stay,” to prevent them from entering dangerous situations. You should also train them to wait before exiting the vehicle after a road trip. This is so they don’t impulsively jump from the car until you give a specific command indicating it’s safe to get out.
- Plan for emergencies: Accidents happen at any time of the year, and it’s best to stay prepared. Always have a pet emergency kit, including a first aid kit, food, water, and your veterinarian’s contact information. You should also research beforehand any veterinary office you might pass by on your route in case your dog needs medical help.
- Spread awareness: Heighten the safety of your dogs on the road through educating other pet owners regarding the significance of using dog car restraints, leash laws, and other safety measures. You can do this by taking advantage of social media or joining dog organizations.
By implementing these measures, you are significantly reducing your dog’s chances of getting involved in dog car accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Dogs Get Hurt in Car Accidents?
Yes, dogs can get hurt in car accidents. The extent of the injuries they sustain varies according to the accident’s severity and whether the dog was restrained by a harness or a dog crate in the vehicle.
Typically, their injuries can range from minor scratches and bruises to serious conditions like internal bleeding, broken bones, and fatalities.
What Happens if Your Dog Dies in a Car Accident?
Your dog dying in a car accident can be a heart-wrenching experience. Some of the things you can do if this happens are to seek immediate vet help. They can help confirm the death of your dog, handle the remains, and document their death for insurance claims.
You may also report the accident to authorities and gather relevant documentation regarding compensation or liability issues for legal purposes.
Can a Dog Survive After an Accident?
A dog can survive after an accident if they immediately receive medical attention. This will depend on their injuries, too. Minor ones, like shallow wounds, will only take a while to heal. On the other hand, severe cases may need extensive medical treatment, like surgery and rehabilitation.
It’s important to remember that you should bring an injured pet to the nearest clinic or hospital immediately, regardless of whether they seem or look fine. They could suffer from internal injuries that may not be visible; only a vet or doctor can diagnose them.
Final Word
Car accidents are highly fatal for dogs, whether they’re inside the vehicles or on the roads off-leash. Knowing that several factors heighten your dog’s chances of getting injured by vehicles or while being inside one, implementing preventive measures will significantly make a difference.
This includes using car restraints or putting your dog on a leash when taking them out in public places. You may also consider installing a barrier around your property to keep your pets off the road. Most importantly, train your dog to heed your verbal commands. This is so they know they should stop rushing into extremely dangerous places.
Key Takeaways
- Time, season, location, driving and dog behavior, and vehicle type are some of the factors that influence car accidents involving dogs.
- Have better control of your dog by investing in quality leashes for dog walks or crash-proof car crates and harnesses for road trips.
- Knowing how many dogs die in car accidents helps you understand the seriousness of the issue and the importance of keeping your dogs safe on the road.
Leave a Reply