# PA State Rep Introduces Dog Seat Belt Legislation **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 6, 2005, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249 "2005-07-06T05:00:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/21 "2005-07-06T13:13:03Z")
There’s also size issues. Is it entirely safe to restrain a Newfie? I’ve seen dog seatbelts… they’re not safe. Flimsy, and tend to be of the strangle the dog variety, last I saw. Not to mention the whole crate versus free issue. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/22 "2005-07-06T14:15:05Z")
This guy is a complete lunatic. I can at least, thankfully, say that I didn’t vote for him. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/23 "2005-07-06T14:21:51Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > I ♠ my dog. > > and my husband too! You mean you beat both with a shovel? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/24 "2005-07-06T14:30:21Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > I thought the little shit was asking me if I had any Grey Poupon. 😃 Hillarious! ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/25 "2005-07-06T14:31:14Z")
> [@chatelaine](#): > > Or were you going for I ❤ my dog? I ❤ my kids. I ♠ my wife. I ♣ my dog. And I yank your chain. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/26 "2005-07-06T14:49:01Z")
:o I’m putting my chain away and going home now. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/27 "2005-07-06T14:56:06Z")
This just in: The legislation was conceived of by an [11-year old boy.](http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_350132.html) Is anyone else disturbed by a “There Ought to Be a Law” contest held by a legislator? :mad: ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/28 "2005-07-06T14:59:02Z")
I agree that belting in a dog is a good idea. Should it be mandatory? Um-- are there more important issues to deal with? Yeah? Then let’s not worry about doggy seat belts right now. And I have a grown man sized great dane, I have yet to see a doggie belt that could hold him. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/29 "2005-07-06T15:02:02Z")
Some people may have misconceptions of what car harnesses for dogs are. They do not wrap around the throat nor latch onto a paw like a bear trap warranting “gnawing on its own limbs” to be free. They range in size from harnesses suitable for tiny dogs to dogs over 100 lbs, and like all products, range in quality as well. There are some extremely solid and secure harnesses available. Here is a [image of a typical harness](http://www.morrco.com/carsafhar.html). Note how the seatbelt passes through the harness and is buckled. When properly used, they allow the dog enough range of motion to move comfortably, but prevent the dog from entering the front seat or exiting through the windshield in the case of a crash. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/30 "2005-07-06T15:04:58Z")
Actually, around here I’d be happy if they’d just enforce the laws already on the books about not letting your dog ride in the open bed of a pickup. Stupid and dangerous, but not all that uncommon, I’m afraid. I expect if the PA law passes, it won’t be enforced any better, so it’s probably more a waste of time than anything else. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/31 "2005-07-06T16:29:24Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > it’s probably more a waste of time than anything else. You just described about 80% of Pennsylvania state law… ---
**Author:** ![LilyValy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9a140/32.png) [@LilyValy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyValy)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/32 "2005-07-06T16:43:09Z")
I have a Great Dane, they do not make a seatbelt for him! Most seatbelts that are available in my area have an xsmall to xlarge, with xlarge meaning 100+. Guess what, the xlarge seatbelts don’t fit him- - thats right, they are too small. As for putting him in a crate (lets ignore the fact that a crate his size won’t fit in my car), you are welcome to try. That being said, the legislation won’t pass. I just don’t think that it can be made mandatory. I do however support legislation, banning dogs (and humans for that matter) riding in the back of pickups. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/33 "2005-07-06T16:55:30Z")
> [@LilyValy](#): > > you are welcome to try. Not my problem. But if you can’t make your dog do as you say, then it’s your problem, because you’re not in command. You do as you please with your dog, but [there are restraints that will fit him for about $50](http://www.superiorcarcare.net/roadpetressy.html). Anything you say will just be an excuse because you don’t want to do this.Why is your problem and I don’t care, but saying there are no products, or the car is wrong or whatever is no reason good enough. If you realy want to be safe in your car, and your dog to be safe too, get a harness. Have you thought about what 150lb dog will do to you when it comes flying from the back seat in the event of a crash @ 55mph? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/34 "2005-07-06T17:07:06Z")
> [@The Gaspode](#): > > Have you thought about what 150lb dog will do to you when it comes flying from the back seat in the event of a crash @ 55mph? 150 lbs of Great Dane at 55 mph = it would be all over for rover. ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/35 "2005-07-08T08:01:02Z")
You’d think a 150 lb dog could just use the human restraints if you taught it to sit correctly. (Sheeesh, at that size you could probibly teach it to drive.) ---
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/36 "2005-07-08T13:58:19Z")
Yet another reason to hate animal rights whackos. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/37 "2005-07-08T14:03:08Z")
Because they teach dogs to drive? 😕😕😕 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/38 "2005-07-08T14:30:51Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > I thought Sweden was world- **renouned** for its public education. It is. Queens, on the other hand, apparently still has some work to do. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![zenith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zenith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zenith)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/39 "2005-07-08T14:30:58Z")
Actually, “King of the Hill” has it about right with its image of Lady Bird solidly tethered in the back of Hank’s truck while Bobby bounces all about the bed. Although a 4-legged dog has better balance than most 2-legged rugrats ( and in many cases more sense), both should be in restraints when riding in vehicles. And what is it with these people who put either kids or dogs out in the weather despite the fact that their Gargantua 3500 SuperYuppieTruck has a back seat? Passing new laws for cops who have more than enough to do enforcing the old ones doesn’t solve anything, but it does provide a cheap way for legislators who really couldn’t care less about kids or dogs not associated with millionaire campaign contributors to be “compassionate”. ---
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249/40 "2005-07-08T15:13:21Z")
> [@zenith](#): > > And what is it with these people who put either kids or dogs out in the weather despite the fact that their Gargantua 3500 SuperYuppieTruck has a back seat? With the case of dogs, it’s because they’re normal instead of a “little touched in the head.” For me, unless it’s unbelievably cold or raining really hard or hailing, dogs don’t belong inside my truck. Hell, they don’t belong in my house AFAIC either. And I know that animal rights whackos think that they know what is best for dogs and their owners, but every dog that I’ve known loved riding in the back of the truck. And so fucking what if they’re buckled up or not? It’s not your dog. It’s not any of your Goddamned business, much less the States. :mad: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-state-rep-introduces-dog-seat-belt-legislation/311249.md?page=3)