Driving With Dogs in Truck Beds – Don’t Do It!

Did you know that more than 100,000 dogs die each year riding in truck beds?   This doesn’t even include all the injuries veterinarians see from dogs being driven around in the back of pickup trucks. You may think that the only risk involved is your dog jumping or tumbling out of the truck. Think about the flying debris and rocks as well! They can cause severe injury, and the wind can cause irritation and blow grit into their eyes.

The problem with driving with dogs is that it is already risky enough. Loose dogs in the back of pickup trucks can be a significant distraction. Most of the time, your four-legged friend can ride comfortably in the cab of your vehicle. You may be wondering if driving with dogs in pickup beds is legal in the first place. A few states have banned riding with dogs in low pickup beds in the United States. Unfortunately, in most areas, it’s not even illegal to transport children this way. This raises many concerns.

Rather than having your dog ride freely in the back of your truck, consider these options:

• Use a restrained crate if you must drive with your dog in the back of a pickup truck.
• Use a harness or seatbelt to keep your dogs safe in the backseat or pickup cab.
• Ensure that you tether your dog with a short harness to provide safety and prevent strangulation or death.

We recommend that you do not drive with your dog in the bed of a pickup truck. Prevent your dog from becoming another driving distraction or statistic. Please don’t risk it, and keep your pet safe!