Don’t Put Your Dogs In Truck Beds,
Every Year More Than 100,000 Dogs Die!
Pickup trucks are one of the most popular ways of travel in the United States. But, unfortunately, most of them don’t have a backseat. Even with the four-door models, we still often put our dogs in the truck bed to protected the seats from scratches.
When you put your dog in a truck bed, even for a short trip, it can be a TERRIBLE idea. In fact, the American Humane Society reports that more than 100,000 dogs die every year from truck bed accidents.
Some of the causes are obvious: Loose dogs are not secured by a doggy seat belt or protected from other vehicles, flying debris, or short stops.
Even your best behaved and well-trained dogs are still naturally curious and have been known to jump out of truck beds. Calm dogs can still get spooked and jump out causing trouble results.
There have been reports of dogs jumping out of the truck beds being badly injured. Also, people in cars trying to avoid them with bad results.
- Wind: Also, another reason for NOT putting your dog in a truck bed is wind. Even if you drive at average speeds the wind can put pressure on your dog’s lungs as he inhales. The risk, of course, increases as your speed increases.
- Breathing Issues: In addition to the breathing issues, high winds can cause flying objects can hit your dog in the face. Even small pieces can cause serious injuries, like pebbles hitting your dog in the eyes.
- Weather: Even on a pleasant 70-degree day, the sun can heat up the metal of the truck bed. Sadly, there have been reports of dogs with second and third-degree burns on their paws from truck beds and some even heat stroke. Dogs can’t sweat and no water to cool him down. Heat stroke can kill!
- Using A Leash: Even putting your dog on a leash in the truck bed is a VERY BAD idea. Dogs have strangled themselves because of short stops, and accidents which has resulted in death.
What if you do get into an accident, your dog may be spooked and take off. Resulting in them being hit by another vehicle.
- Put Your Dog In A Cage:There have been many articles suggesting that you put your dog in a cage and secure it to the truck bed if possible, BUT this may give you a false sense of security. Accidents, especially ones causing the truck to roll over, will give your dog little chance of getting out before serious injury.
Also, your dog is probably not very happy in the back of a pickup. It’s a scary place to be! There are wind gusts, loud highway noises and no security, he can grow very anxious.
The only way to protect your dog from hazards is to keep him inside the vehicle at all times, no matter what.
REMEMBER: If you cannot protect your pet, leave him at home!
