Australian road rules when travelling with your dog. Are you risking a fine?

A google search for ‘road rules when travelling with your dog in Australia’ produces some pretty ambiguous results. Given 99% of Black Hound’s clients are people that dote on their dogs, I don’t believe I need to preach to the converted on the merits of securing your dog when he’s on the road with you. I do however receive emails asking what the penalty is state by state so I decided to embark on a project, phoning each state police department to get the lowdown on what road rules, and infringements, are enforceable in each state.

The general gist of the information I received was this:
If you are doing something ‘silly’ in your vehicle or putting lives at risk, including that of your dog, police do not need a specific ‘dog’ offence to give you an infringement. This might include your dog hanging out of the window causing a distraction to other drivers, having your dog lose on the back of your ute, or even driving with your dog standing on the centre console.

If your dog is jumping around the car, creating a distraction for you, all states have some piece of legislation under which you can be charged.
you are NOT allowed to carry your dog on your lap whilst driving
Regardless of whether police enforce animal welfare legislation, all states have traffic legislation which makes it possible to receive an infringement for failing to tether your dog on a utility

As a former police officer I’d like to add that most emergency responders have stories of attending road accidents where dogs have been injured (and killed), usually as a result of ejection through the front window. According to the RSPCA nearly 5000 dogs either die or are severely injured each year in road vehicle accidents. Regrettably some of these deaths are simply as a result of heavy breaking and are preventable. Unrestrained items (including dogs) are also a cause of injuries to occupants of vehicles. The most extreme injury I am aware that a driver has sustained as the result of an unrestrained dog in the car is paraplegia.

At Black Hound we have two options for safety conscious drivers:

• The Swedish designed and built MIMSafe Variocrates and Gates which have been crash tested to European SPCT standards – you will find those here
• The European designed and built Crash Tested Harness

A couple of other points that I think are worthy of mentioning

• Please don’t put dogs on front seats as inflating air bags may kill them
• You risk voiding your insurance if an unrestrained dog in your car contributes to an accident

The best thing you can do for yourself and for your pet’s safety is to ensure they are always secured when travelling inside your car or on the back of your utility.