DGT in Spain has advised that all animals traveling in vehicles must be restrained
Although the highway code does not provide specific requirements for the transport of pets, the corresponding article of law stipulates that “the driver of a vehicle is required to maintain his own freedom of movement, the field necessary vision and constant attention to driving, which guarantees their own safety, that of the rest of the occupants of the vehicle and that of other road users”. He then clarifies that drivers should ensure animals are placed safely in the car “so that there is no interference”.
The ambiguity of the regulations creates its own problems, as there are no hard and fast rules on exactly how a dog should be restrained in a car, but experts generally agree that restraints should be short enough to prevent an animal from moving, and that harnesses should have two clips for added security.
The crates should be placed at the rear of the vehicle, and the best safety measure is considered to be the addition of a grid, which completely separates the animals from the passengers.
DGT pointed out that in the event of a collision, an untethered dog weighing 20 kg would represent a 700 kg missile, presenting a serious danger not only for the animal itself, but also for the driver and passengers.
Image: Civil Guard