When it comes to safely transporting animals, pet owners have their work cut out for them. A pet can be severely endangered if a wreck takes place and they’re not strapped in properly, and tests have shown that investing in a unit that’s going to provide adequate protection is a challenge unto itself. Still, that doesn’t mean that pet owners shouldn’t try, and a new report lays out all the reasons why having a pet harness in the vehicle is a worthwhile investment.
The most obvious benefit of pet harnesses is that they’ll at least provide some defense against injury in the event of a crash. When a pet is allowed to wander in the cabin, an accident can throw them forward into the airbags, the windshield, or another human being, doing damage to person and pet alike.
When pets are unrestrained, there’s also a distraction potential that shouldn’t be underestimated. A pet crawling into your lap is necessarily going to take your mind and eyes off the road, and even if they’re not on your lap but simply rooting around in the back, you’ll still be distracted.
You also have to take into account such situations as traffic stops or minor accidents. If a cop pulls you over, you don’t want the dog getting aggressive or protective. You also don’t want it to leap out of the vehicle if you’r ever stuck on the side of the road for whatever reason, as this could hurt the pet or cause another accident.