You don’t often hear about it, but it’s a sad fact that unrestrained dogs die in car accidents every year. Don’t make excuses not to crate your pet when driving.
Dog owners have bad habits too. We may not play with our dog as much as they’d like or we may cave into those puppy dog eyes and slip them the last bite of our cheeseburger. While these examples are not terribly risky, there is one that carries the possibility of danger, and that’s driving with an unrestrained dog.
In the spirit of New Year resolutions, we hope more dog owners will make safe travel a priority in 2016. Below are some of the excuses owners give for not using a dog crate when driving with their best friend and we’d like to discuss why they are invalid.
1. We Are Not Going Far
Trip to the vet? Play date at the dog park?
The drive may be short, but the risk of a car crash does not diminish. In fact, a survey by Progressive Insurance found that 52% of reported crashes occurred five miles or less from home and a whopping 77% occurred fifteen miles or less from home.
So while drivers may not be hitting the interstate, it’s important they put their pup in a safe crate. As you can see in this crash test, the result of a 30 mph crash is pretty violent.
2. My Dog Likes to Ride Shotgun
Part of being a pet parent is showing some tough love. Sure, a dog with its head out the window or bounding back and forth in the back seat may be more pleasurable for a dog, but it’s dangerous and distracting to the driver.
The L.A. Times estimates “tens of thousands of car accidents are believed to be caused every year by unrestrained pets.”ABC News says 31% of surveyed drivers admit to being distracted by their dog while driving.
It comes down to setting boundaries – this is my space and this is yours in the car – so the safety of the dog and all passengers is the priority.
3. I Can’t Justify the Cost
Like the old saying goes, “If you think safety is expensive, try having an accident.” Americans spent an estimated $52 billion on our animals in 2012, according to the American Pet Products Association. The bulk of the money went toward pet food and healthcare. We invest in their care, but do not think to protect them in a vehicle where they can be most vulnerable.
Of the four crates that claim to be crash tested in a Center For Pet Safety study, the Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate™ is the second least expensive, yet top of the line when it comes to safety.
We won’t get sappy here and say if a dog owner loves their dog, they will buy a Gunner Kennel, but the cost can be justified.
This is the last crate you will need to buy. No more replacing the flimsy plastic crates that get brittle and crack after a year of use. Our double-walled rotomolded plastic crate uses the same manufacturing process as an Olympic kayak except double. No more having to buy a new kennel because the cheap door latch won’t keep a dog securely in the crate. From the tie-down pins to the rubber feet, we use the best quality parts to ensure the kennel will last a lifetime. If it doesn’t, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty.
Finally it comes with the peace of mind that you’re traveling with Mans Best Kennel™ and your dog is safe and right where they should be.
Start this New Year off with breaking the bad habit of hitting the road without thinking about the safety issues of traveling with a dog. Rest assured that if you’re not 100% satisfied with the kennel, we offer a money-back guarantee.
