Pet Car Accidents

Your pet is a lot of things: heart-warming hugs, lengthy games of fetch, and many other good moments. Unfortunately, bad things can happen to your animal companion. One of such things is car accidents. Pet auto accidents are common, and that’s why Arrow Animal Hospital in Los Lunas, NM, has taken time to ensure pet parents know how to prevent them and where to take their pets when involved in such an unfortunate event.

Pet Auto Accidents

Whether it’s dashing to the nearby store or going for a vacation, traveling with your pet is fun-filled. However, no matter the length of your trip, it’s pivotal to take care of your vehicle occupants, including your pets. Unfortunately, most pet parents don’t take proper care of their pets while driving, leading to auto accidents.

Let’s look at some statistics to put things into perspective. There are approximately 43.3 million households with pets in America. Of these, 84 percent traveling with their dogs don’t restrain them. And that’s not all. 17 percent of pet parents have allowed their dogs to sit on their laps while driving, while 4 percent of drivers acknowledged playing with their dog when driving!

Traveling safely with your pet not only keeps your vehicle occupants safe, but also protects other road users. With about 6 million car accidents being reported in America, there is a good chance that many pets are involved since most people travel with their pets. Besides human injuries, you are likely to have pets with injuries, or at the very least, in shock.

Preventing Pet Auto Accidents

While most states require pets to be restrained while driving, this law isn’t strictly enforced. It’s not uncommon to see persons driving with pets on their laps or the dog jumping all over in the back seat.  

Ensuring your pet is restrained at all times while in a vehicle reduces the impact of potential injuries. Otherwise, an unrestrained pet turns into a projectile, crashing into the vehicle’s body or the driver. Worse yet, the pet can be thrown outside the car.  

What to Do if Your Pet Is Involved in an Auto Accident

Restraining your pet while in the car is the first line of defense in reducing the impact of pet auto accidents. If you’re in Los Lunas, NM, or the surrounding areas, bring your injured pet to Arrow Animal Hospital for treatment.