A Bendigo animal welfare organisation has reminded ute drivers to ensure their dogs are secured properly to keep them kept safe when riding in the back of their vehicles.
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Bendigo Animal Welfare and Community Services recently received a photo that showed a dog perilously close to the edge of a ute’s tray.
BAWCS president Debbie Edwards said having a dog tethered in such a way that it could reach the edge of the tray posed more than one hazard.
“The issue is happening all the time, and whether you’ve travelled with your dog that way forever, your dog could lose its footing and that could be disastrous,” Ms Edwards said.
Agriculture Victoria says many dogs are killed or injured across the country each year while travelling on the backs of vehicles.
Dogs falling, attempting to jump, being dragged and being struck by oncoming or passing vehicles are among the main causes of injury.
Ms Edwards said falling or jumping were not the only safety risks posed by dogs being able to reach the edge of the tray.
She said debris in the air could also injure an animal, if it got in their eyes.
BAWCS’ preferred method of transporting dogs on the back of utes is by crate or cage.
Ms Edwards said it prevented dogs from reaching the edge of the tray, and also protected them from debris.
By law, dogs must be tethered or restrained in a cage when travelling in the back of a ute.
Leads or chains must be long enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down, but short enough that the dog cannot reach the edge, get onto the cabin or harass passers-by when the vehicle is parked.