Cruelty Alert: Dogs in Pickup Trucks

Thursday, September 22, 2011 - 11:15am
Dog in Pickup Truck

A few years ago, Julien Roohani of Portland, Oregon, was at work when her roommates spontaneously decided to go on a hike. Not wanting to exclude Julien’s six-month-old Shepherd/Border Collie mix, Niña, they threw her into the back of their pickup truck and set off for an adventure.

Niña had never been in a truck bed before. Whether she was scared or just spotted something of interest, she managed to jump out during the drive. Panicking, the roommates called Julien, who rushed Niña to an emergency veterinary clinic where she was diagnosed with a broken spine and other severe injuries. Julien had no choice but to allow her young pup to be humanely euthanized.

Unfortunately, stories like Niña’s are all too common. It is never safe to drive with an unrestrained pet—especially with that pet in an open truck bed.

“When you drive with a loose dog in the back of your truck, you’re taking a huge risk and placing your dog and other motorists in danger,” says Chuck Mai, a vice president with AAA Oklahoma. “Even if a dog is trained, we’re talking about an animal who responds to stimuli on impulse. This irresponsible decision can start a deadly chain reaction on the road.”

Is It Legal?
Transporting unrestrained dogs in low-sided truck beds has been banned in a handful of states, including California and New Hampshire, and municipalities including Indianapolis, Cheyenne and Miami-Dade. However, in the vast majority of jurisdictions, it’s not even illegal to transport children in this manner, so we must rely on common sense and education to protect children and pets alike.

How You Can Help
One can feel terribly helpless witnessing a loose dog in a pickup truck. The best course of action is to try to get the vehicle’s license number (if you can do so while remaining safe) and call the local police. Rather than dialing 911, Jill Buckley, ASPCA Senior Director of Government Relations, suggests storing your police precinct’s phone number in your cell phone.

For more tips on how to travel safely with your pet, please visit our Virtual Behaviorist.

Tags: 
Animal Cruelty
Pet Care

Comments

Fri, 08/03/2012 - 18:40 — Kathryn Krone (Visitor)
I witnessed this here in the Hamptons and reported the owner - who jumped out of the car and threatened me when I took his picture with my phone - and the police said it was no big deal. That dog was flailing around in the back of the truck, I know no good will come to him. I have the person's license plate number. Is there anything else I can do?

Tue, 10/09/2012 - 13:30 — Kristin G (Visitor)
Exactly. Most police precincts unfortunately will not do much or anything about this especially if it's legal! More needs to be done to stop this horrible practice. Is there anything else that can be done?

Wed, 08/22/2012 - 10:57 — francisco vazquez (Visitor)
I HAVE A DOG SHIPSU I CANT NOT TAKECARE I AM A 61 YEAROLD DISABILITY PERSON THEDOG WAS MY DAUTHER PET I RECIVE SS AND MEDICAID

Sun, 01/13/2013 - 02:32 — Amanda (Visitor)
I witnessed a dog riding in the back of a pickup truck; at time the dog looked like it was going to fall out. It hovered back and forth over the sides of the truck. After tweeting the video and photos I shot to a local news anchor in Charlotte, NC, she suggest I call animal control. I took her advice. Unfortunetly, I live in an area where dogs riding in back of trucks are not a concern. I was told that I had nothing "cruel" to report. My theory is that the animal control supervisor probably does the same thing and or his jelly donuts and coffee were simply more important.

Tue, 01/22/2013 - 19:32 — John (Visitor)
People, mind your own business and quit meadling in matters that do not require your attention. No one cares about your complaints concerning dogs in a pickup truck because there is nothing wrong with it. It is the owners personal choice to do so, and if they feel that their dog is well behaved enough not to jump out, than WHO are you to tell them otherwise. Live and let live people, get a hobby besides antagonizing other people who are living their lives.

Tue, 04/02/2013 - 00:16 — Mike (Visitor)
I couldn't agree more. Some people are more worried about animals then people. Get a life.

Sun, 05/05/2013 - 15:22 — Tracy Whipple (Visitor)
It is others' business when they have to suffer the consequences. I ran over a dog that jumped out of a truck on the freeway. Scarred me forever. I can't drive behind an untethered dog now without a panicky feeling.

Tue, 05/07/2013 - 22:13 — Marilee M. Rathunde (Visitor)
Some of us have to worry about the animals, because of people like you who don't have any common sense to know what could hurt an animal. The animals cannot tell you that they are scared back there. I just hope you don't own a pet. I fear for their safety. Would you put a young child back there? It's the same thing! So honey right back at you: Get a Life!

Sat, 05/11/2013 - 22:22 — Tammy Shafer (Visitor)
Some people, like Myself, live for ANIMALS. That is OUR LIFE, because, WE choose it. We care about the SAFETY, OF ANIMALS, like we CARE about the SAFETY, of OUR CHILDREN. So WE DO HAVE A LIFE, BY SAVING A LIFE.

Tue, 05/07/2013 - 22:10 — Marilee M. Rathunde (Visitor)
It isn't a matter of the dog being well behaved! It is for the dog's safety. If the truck has to suddenly swerve or slam on it's brakes the dog can be seriously hurt or worse. My business is to report any wrong doing/cruelty/neglect of animals who cannot speak for themselves. I do the same for human beings. You don't seem to understand that animals have hearts and feelings just like us. No, we aren't not pansies, we are responsible people. Obviously you are not nor do you have any common sense.

Fri, 04/26/2013 - 03:00 — Elton (Visitor)
Exactly. Most police precincts unfortunately will not do much or anything about this especially if it's legal! More needs to be done to stop this horrible practice. Is there anything else that can be done.<a href="http://www.pickuptrucksdirect.co.uk/vehicle-leasing/nissan-navara-finance-leasing-and-contract-hire">Nissan Navara Leasing</a>

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 12:37 — kate (Visitor)
the worst of the worst are the people who commit animal abuse. I've seen this many times before. The toolbox truck abuse. Owners that have a toolbox in the bed of their truck who put their dog on top of the toolbox while they are driving. I've seen this before, and sadly on the interstate. The dogs are so scared they bark at you with meaningful eyes. Just one just because of anxiousness or worry that dog is on the interstate and dead before you can say "but-". CRUELTY! think twice about your dog.

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