Dog and cat owners warned of laws surrounding pets in cars

More than a quarter of UK households own a dog, but as many as half of them may be unaware of the laws surrounding driving with one.

Car insurance comparison website Confused.com has warned drivers of the possible penalties if they don’t take adequate precautions when travelling with their pets. For example, motorists could be fined up to £5,000 if they fail to restrain their pet in the car.

The law recommends either a seat belt harness or guard for larger animals, or a crate or pet carrier for smaller ones. That’s because an unrestrained pet can be a serious hazard when driving – and even more dangerous in the event of a crash.

Runa Hanaghan, the deputy veterinary director of The Dogs Trust, spelled out the danger, saying: “It’s important to restrain dogs in the car both for their own safety and that of everyone else. If an accident happens, the dog can be thrown forward and injured. It can also act like a missile within the vehicle and hit other occupants.”

It’s not just dogs, either. Cats and other animals also require restraining – usually in a crate or pet carrier. Aside from the dangers in a crash, unrestrained animals may panic and move around the vehicle – possibly interfering with the driving controls. There’s also potential for distraction.

The Highway Code states in Rule 57: “When in a vehicle, make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”

Confused.com’s research involved questioning 2,000 UK drivers. It found that 64 per cent of UK motorists are unaware that driving with an unrestrained pet can carry a fine. Although there’s no direct penalty, drivers could be pulled over by police and accused of various other offences, with the most serious cases attracting a charge of driving without due care and attention.

If a case of that nature goes to court, it’s punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 and nine driving licence points. In extreme cases, it could even lead to a driving ban.

Confused.com’s research also showed that less than half (48 per cent) of pet owners knew that an unrestrained animal could actually invalidate their insurance, leaving them without cover if there was an incident. That may be why a remarkable 35 per cent of pet-owning motorists admit they don’t restrain their animals at all while driving.

Amanda Stretton, Confused.com’s motoring editor, said: “Many drivers will be joined by four-legged companions as they set off on trips across the UK.

“But drivers must restrain their dogs properly or they could receive fines up to £5,000. Driving with an unrestrained pet can also invalidate your car insurance, meaning having to personally pay out for repairs in the event of a claim.”