Unbuckled Dogs Draw Stiffer Penalty Than People
Say goodbye to the dog days of summer. New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals issues warning to pet owners--restrain your dog in the car or face stiff penalties.
As we turn the bend into summer, say goodbye to your faithful companion hopping into your car, sitting in the passenger seat and hanging his shaggy head out of the window tasting the freedom of the open road. Or as much of the open road as one canine can get between red lights, stop signs and one-lane only road construction in Bergen County.
Northjersey.com Road Warrior John Cichowski reported last week that Col. Frank Rizzo, police superintendent for the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, issued a warning that any motorist found driving with an unrestrained pet will face a penalty much stiffer than the $46 fine issued to unbuckled drivers and passengers.
Penalties for unrestrained dogs range from $250 to $1,000 and as much as six months in jail.
Rizzo told reporters that the rationale for the enactment of this new law is that in a car accident dogs become projectiles if they are hanging their heads out of the window.
Patch decided to go straight to the ones charged with the task of enforcing this law and issuing summonses--dog owning police officers. Those who agreed to respond asked not to be identified, but had the same opinion.
"Seriously," one veteran officer said. "The best part of my day is hitting the road with my dog sitting right beside me in my truck."
Another thought that this was a particularly intrusive law, especially given the severe penalties.
"Does a K-9 have to be restrained?" still another cop questioned. "I can hear it now, 'Wait, we can't sniff out the perp--the K-9's caught in the restraint.'"
In Overpeck Park's dog run on Saturday, the owner of Daisy, a Great Dane, said he thought this was just a back door way for the state to make money. "Really," he said "$250 to $1000? Why not just say you have to add dogs onto your car insurance policy?"
"Oh wait," he continued. "The state wouldn't get that money."
The owner of Millie, a Jack Russell Terrier said, "Great, so now when I restrain her she'll bark non-stop in the car and I'll get into an accident."
How do you feel about this new law? Take our poll and let us know.
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james
11:45 am on Monday, June 4, 2012
A useless law that will be administered unfairly just like the cell phone law. The one time your dog is unrestrained is the one day they will stop you. What happens to drivers from out of state will they also be fined?
RoseAnn
12:04 am on Sunday, July 15, 2012
I agree 1,000,000,000% only NJ would think of this.This is rediculous intrusive law.My dog loves to ride in the car.You know what.They will think of anything to give us tickets for what next the ear piece for our cells.!!!Or not listening to the right radio station Get outta here and do something better with this state.How about if you want to focus on dogs/animals.How about an animal abuser registry through the state.So animal abusers cant own dogs,or any other animal.!!!!
K9handler
1:58 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Wonderfully biased article. The author failed to point out how hazardous it is to have unrestrained pets in the vehicle. In the event of a collision, that pet now can be flung around the car - injuring other passengers and/or thrown from the vehicle through a window... most likely killing the pet. If the accident isn't that severe - and the pet remains inside... if a window breaks, the pet can jump out (running into the road and possibly causing another collision.) OR - if it still remains inside but the driver is injured - the pet could possibly "guard" the owner if EMS is attempting to extract the driver or assist with injuries.
This is a great law, albeit a little stiff on the fines. Someone can still comfortably restrain their pet with a seat belt harness. The pet can still look out the window and have room to move around... Let's be reasonable folks.
Josh Mertz
7:41 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Really? There are plenty of other things in the average car that are just as dangerous. What's next, buckle up your 64oz steaming hot coffee mug? Or what about that 20lb laptop? How about your car itself... might as well tether all of the components together like an Indy car! Ooo and sunroofs better ban those! Ooo Ooo Ooo convertibles too! And motorcycles... may as well have a scud missile on the highway! Bike racks - forget it! Clean cars - sorry to shiny! Campers - no way! Ski rack - you may as well have samurai swords up there! How about going after a real problem, like retread tractor trailer tires... a problem you can witness every mile or two on the highway. I wonder how many thousands of people are killed by those every year. Maybe go after blindingly bright headlights if the state needs money that bad.
As for the animal getting loose after an accident, I can probably site more reasons that is good than it is bad... but I'll call that part a wash. Truth is, dogs have been riding around in cars since cars were invented. I guess 2012 was the real tipping point... "we've got dogs bouncing all over the damn place"! Does anyone have any real data as to how many accidents or post accident "dangerous situations" actually occur???
My dog will get a 6ft leash attached to the rear seat belt, and that is only to keep my ass out of jail. I wonder who's discretion it will be to determine "restraint"?
K9handler
12:36 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Josh Mertz - I agree there are LOTS of things that are dangerous or distracting. The point I made in comments below was that a dog is not simply an object but a life. Part of this issue is both for our safety as well as the dog, who can't choose to buckle themselves in. A laptop doesn't grow legs and roam around our vehicle while we're driving. And after the car comes to a halt, it also can't jump up and bite someone who's reaching in to help an injured passenger. My dogs are valued by me like children, so I crate or buckle them in. I would hope most people would do the same - but just like there are idiotic parents who drive around with infants on their laps, so are there dog owners who do the same. Not quite the equivalent of driving with a cup of coffee in the cupholder or a purse on the seat next to you. Just my two cents.
nancy p
7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
That hot cup of coffee can be the equivalent if it spills in the driver's lap. I see a head on collision.
Sandy Gross
10:20 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
I have been in the emergency medical field for 30 years and not once has the issue of a "flying dog" injuring anyone in the vehicle. So the hypothetical crap of "projectile missles" is just crap. Shit stirrers is what this is all about. People who don't have any life but to menace in the lives of others. The person who pulls the person over for this offense should really take a look at what is happening to this country. 30 years in the service and I can't take my effing dog to the grocery store for milk without looking over my shoulder. Thanks everyone who is making this state really a place of crap. Oh and how much of my tax money went to paying some GOV workers salary to put this together, when I can hardly afford the cost of the food for the dog that I am taking care of now for a fallen soldier. Thanks people for taking one more freedom away. And as for projectile missles in the car, where are you driving in this congested state that you are going that fast. And really, when are we going to get tickets for not restraining our groceries, coolers and all the other "things that may fly out the window or may cause an accident or injure another passenger. Please lets try to be humans and not some kind of freaks that need to justify their jobs and come up with this crap.
K9handler
2:01 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
And as for the LE officer's comment. LE K9's typically have crates, often with remote-controlled doors - so that's a ridiculous comment to say they could be delayed in response by unbuckling a K9.
Sandy Gross
10:24 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Not as ridiculous as yours may be. I believe you use the word "typically", then that is an indicator that you really don't know. So how ridiculous is it for people to comment on what they don't know?
Sandy Gross
10:36 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
And this nonsense that others care that my dog is not an object but is a life as you indicated, is the biggest line of crap yet.
james
2:32 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
K9handler there is so much that is hazardous and one cannot legislate safety. I have a restraint for my dog but that is MY choice. I think it is unfair to fine a dog owner more severly then a person who has an unrestrained human in the car.
K9handler
3:59 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
I agree the fine is rather excessive, but I do believe that it should be legislated. A dog or cat is not simply a suitcase or a backpack, but a living creature. They - similarly to a child - deserve a little bit of protection. Some parents think it's OK to allow their kids to roam around the car unsecured. I think most of us have a problem with that for the kids' sake. Sure - dogs aren't kids. But I hate to see suffering caused by careless humans. If we can prevent it, super. This isn't a huge inconvenience. If it is... well, then maybe you should leave your pet at home. ("you" intended to be the greater audience, not you personally.)
james
4:08 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
I understand your statements but also understand that this should be the right of the owners. I am sure you can recognize that there is so many areas where government can intrude in our lives in order to make us supposedly "safe".
sander mook
3:30 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
If u really care about ur dog, u use a crate or safetybelt in car for your dog. Ur dog can be a projectile while doing an emergency brake. He can fall down and can get serious injured. Barking is no excuse to not buckle up or restrain your dog. That's a training issue such can b solved by a professional. Greetz sander mook (the Netherlands)
sander mook
3:37 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Ps: having a dog unrestrained in car while driving can lead to serious injuries with other drivers involved. You can't trust a dog for the full 100% because it is an animal. It's just not safe... that's why I think "A" higher penalty is normal
Sandy Gross
10:39 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
sander mook, really?! is the 100% animal going to take the steering wheel out of our hands? Or maybe play the stereo full blast. I don't know, but my 100% animal is trust worthy as a passenger. And tell us about some of those injuries, because I haven't heard of any.
Martha
10:21 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I think the intent of the law is a good thing, but I honestly feel that most people will not restrain their pets. There are other "distractions" such as applying make-up, eating, reaching for a water bottle, and even reading the overhead flashing billbooards that could also contribute to an individual not paying attention for a split second and causing a serious accident. Do we outlaw these distractions as well?
On the other hand, several years ago while driving on a highway in NY, I contacted the police and reported a driver for driving erratically, swerving in and out of lanes. I was concerned that some innocent person would get hurt. When I was able to get close enough to the swerving vehicle, I noticed that there was a rather large dog on the lap of the driver, and witnessed that when the dog moved, the driver would swerve. Luckily, it was quite early in the morning and there were not too many drivers on the road. The state police did pull the driver over and issued a citation as I later found out. I assumed that the driver was either drunk, or, had a medical condition, but never in a million years, would I think that Fido would be on the lap of a driver!
robin
12:43 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Seat belts for people isn't to restrain them in the car it's to prevent serious injure IF in an accident. So I am now FORCED to snap a leash/restraint on my dog in any haphazard way to avoid a ridiculous fine with no regard to how well it's protected in an accident.
It's a stupid law.
As far as Police Dogs in crates with remote locks-they aren't in NJ (get your facts straight) they are loose in the back with a wire divider between seats.
K9handler
12:55 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
There are crash-rated dog harnesses, crate straps and tethers available on the market for less than a 30lb bag of dog food.
And as for police K9s - my facts come straight from a NJ K9 officer. No - not every department has the capability to purchase these kits, but some departments do have them. Regardless - their K9s are adequately "contained" in their vehicles enough to satisfy the law.
Sandy Gross
10:27 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Finally someone with a brain! Thank you
robin
1:37 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
"Rizzo told reporters that the rationale for the enactment of this new law is that in a car accident dogs become projectiles if they are hanging their heads out of the window."
RE-read Says nothing to do with the safety of the dog in a crash only as a projectile.
Sandy Gross
10:33 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
I don't think K9handler has a grip on what is real. And as for the head out the window, that doesn't mean the body is going to fly out if the head is the only thing out the window. Windows can be opened partially. And when will the law come into reallity that I can not rest my elbow on my window as a passenger because I may fly out the window. So we should not have any windows open and everything should be restrained in the car. Just like on an airplane. That's it, that is the answer. I am sure someone is getting a paycheck working on this next law already.
K9handler
9:38 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Pardon me. I have two large WORKING dogs (yes, they both have jobs) and I value them greatly. I am very much in touch with what is real. When traveling they each stay in their own crates which are strapped down to anchor points in my vehicle. Crates which are oriented with doors facing front and back of the vehicle. I also carry bolt cutters in the event I were to get in an accident and need to cut them out of the crates. What gives you the impression that I have no concept of reality? I take safety very seriously. Before I had crates, I used seatbelts for my dogs. My dogs don't ride with their head out the window for the same reason I wouldn't allow a child to do the same. It's dangerous. Who wants to get hit in the face with a rock, bug, dirt, etc at 65 mph?
As for the earlier comment about how police dogs are transported - I have friends and collegues who are LE K9 officers who have told me exactly how they transport, care for and train their K9s. I can't speak for every department.