New Jersey Leads the Way with "Pet Buckle Up Laws"

New Jersey is now the only state in the country where driving with pets loose in the car is a violation of animal cruelty law. Drivers who do not secure their pet can face a ticket of $250 to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. Additionally, allowing your pets to hang his head out the window, having him riding in the back of a truck or curling up on the driver’s lap are also ticket-able offenses under the law.

Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Chairman and Chief Administrator Raymond P. Martinez and Superintendent of the NJ Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) Col. Frank Rizzo delivered the "Buckle Up Your Pet" safety message prior to the official start of summer because more people take to the roads with their pets in the warmer weather months.

"You wouldn't put your child in the car unrestrained so you shouldn't put your pet in the car unrestrained either," said Col. Rizzo. "What people come to realize only too late is that animals act like flying missiles in an impact and can not only hurt themselves but hurt their human family members too." 

Recently, I spoke about the dangers of unrestrained pets in cars at the New York International Auto Show at a breakfast hosted by car manufacturer GM/Chevy. Watch here. It seems that lawmakers have also taken notice.

While pets can be a danger in the car, they are also a hazard if they're not buckled up because an unrestrained pet in an accident can delay emergency workers from acting and can even run away, which could cause another accident.

During the summer months, the NJSPCA Officers will be checking for vehicles traveling to and from the shore areas with dogs hanging their heads out of windows or unleashed dogs traveling in the open back of pick-up trucks.

So, even if you are passing through the Garden State and your pets are not restrained, the po po might git ya! Watch out!

What do you think about the new seat belt laws regarding dogs in New Jersey? Share in a comment.