Dogs In Truck Beds Are Killing Themselves & Others

News 5 Cleveland

You’re driving down the road in your truck, and you’ve decided to let your fluffy best friend enjoy his ears flapping in the wind as they relax in your truck bed. Beautiful picture? Sure. Safe for your dog? No way.

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A Word Of Warning

According to the American Humane Society, over 100,000 dogs lose their lives every year from incidents associated with riding in the bed of a truck. Even the most well-trained dog may jump when they see something that gets their attention, such as a kid playing with a ball, another dog, or a deer. Many dog owners think the answer is to keep the dog leashed while riding in the back of a truck, but many dogs have been strangled by trying to jump out of the truck while tied with the leash. When your dog is in the back of a truck, they’re experiencing high wind speeds with no barrier to protect their airway, meaning debris and trash that gets picked up with the wind can easily get lodged in their throat.

“Not only could your pet injure, or even kill himself/herself – he/she could cause an accident which may harm someone else,” wrote the AHS.

Bottom line? You love your dog, and you want them along for your travels? Keep them where they belong – inside the vehicle.

Read more about pet safety while driving right here.