Pet owners often – and very understandably – like to give their pets as much freedom as possible. Most pet owners understand that keeping a dog or cat cooped up for long periods of time, for example, can start to affect their mental health and physical well-being. However, there are scenarios in which crating or otherwise restraining a pet becomes necessary both for their own safety and the safety of others.
It isn’t unusual to see unrestrained dogs and cats in cars and trucks. Animals often enjoy going for rides unrestrained. However, this is one situation in which failing to restrain one’s pets can cause them harm and can even potentially lead to accidents.
Pets – although loveable – are distracting
Just as a child in the back of a vehicle can distract its parent who is driving by screaming, throwing something or starting to choke, so can pets distract their owners while they are behind the wheel. Not every distraction caused by a pet can be prevented, just like every distraction caused by a child can’t be prevented. However, taking steps to keep distraction to a minimum – and safety to a maximum – is a must for pet owners who don’t want to cause an accident
By restraining pets, owners can better ensure that their beloved furry friends do not go flying and crash into windows or doors in the event of a sudden stop. Making this effort can also minimize the kinds of distracting pet behavior that can cause a crash.
The last thing that any pet owner wants is to unintentionally cause anybody harm because their pet – who is just doing their thing – distracted them to a degree that caused a crash. As a result, restraining one’s pets in the car is an important must-do for drivers. If you’re injured in a wreck with a driver who skipped this step, it may be time to learn more about your legal options.
