Transporting your dogs

[denis]

I got to quite a few dog shows and I'm dismayed to see folks with vans and estate cars with cages in the back.

The most common types of accidents on our roads are rear-end shunts, every car or van has the fuel tank located below the floor just behind the rear bumper, in the event of another motor hitting yours the fuel tank could rupture and burst into flames.

In such an event, if you don't have another escape exit for your dogs that are in a cage how are you gonna get them out, remember, another vehicle crashing into the back of yours will probably make it impossible to open the rear doors.

I never transport my dogs in cages, they're restricted to the back of the car with a guard and partition, however, in the event of a rear-end accident I can open the side doors to let them out quickly.
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[marcella]

My two go into the back of my car as it's a large 4x4 they have enough room and sit there with no need even for a dog guard. They never attempt to come over the back of the seats. But when travelling in the van (LWB Transit) they are crated for their own safety.

[denis]

Are the cages secured to the vans floor Marcella ? do you have two exits in the cages ?
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[Magz]

I can understand your thinking on this, but generally alot of thought goes into safety nowadays in cars should rear ending occur, I drive a zafira and usually have to use all 7 seats when traveling with my brood, there is very little space between the back row of seats and the boot if i was to think about someone driving into the back off me all the time I would probably never drive again or drive a tank.

[marcella]

[linsey]

how often do petrol tanks actually explode into flames during/after crashes tho?

I'm just wondering because I remember watching a program once about it and the premise of the program was that it very rarely happens apart from in the movies where they do it for dramatic effect! They were trying to engineer crashes to see if the petrol tanks did explode... might have been something like "brainiac - science abuse"

Thing is, if your dog wasn't in a crate surely there is just as much chance of it getting hurt, unless you have a dog seatbelt? Cos it could fall into the footwell, fly forward and flatten you or god knows what...
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If you saw two living creatures, one of them does a poo and the other carries it for him, who would YOU think was in charge?
- Laurence Billi

[Nikki]

Your right Linsey it doesn't happen very often!! I have been in 6 serious crashes and it hasn't happened so far!! (Not that I'm hoping it ever does) It is very rare!!

I couldn't not have Millie in her crate if we are going anywhere that takes longer than 5 mins because she gets bored and wants to come sit on my knee or she's sick!! So a crate is a necessity (sp)!

Nikki x
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[Susan]

Do you guys think the wee dog harnesses are a good idea?I have one for Rufus, but I don't use it, I just let him sit on either the passenger seat/someone's knee/the back seat! He's just a small dog, but I'm not sure if it is safer or not for him to be restrained? I know there are the horror stories of them going through the windows!

[Suzanne H]

We bought a car crate recently because he was getting thrown about in the back of the estate and just wasn't happy. He's much happier in the crate, as he's used to one.

We could easily get him out though by dropping the back seats.

I think what's far more dangerous is people who drive about with their dogs loose in the front/back seat. That dogs going through the windscreen or cracking the driver's skull.

[linsey]

[denis]

Hi folks, in no way was I trying to alarm you I've seen a few rear-enders in my days, I must admit I've never seen one in flames though, but there's always that possibility.

Some cars have plastic tanks nowadays, I think Renaults are plasic, but it's not just the tank that could rupture, the fuel lines and connecting clips could do the same.

Re: harnesses, not a good idea IMO, either your dogs back or kneck could get broken.

We all try to do our best safety-wise but I try and consider the best options for my dogs safety.

Here's a pic of my solution to the potential rear-end shunt, the partition stops the dogs being thrown around side to side, the guard behind the front seats is welded to the floor and secured to the roof. I can fit padding on the lower part of the front guard to protect the dogs should they be thrown against it.


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You only live once, so get it right the first time

[Barry]

[Ashley]

[denis]

[Ashley]