Long overdue, but this really needs to be addressed

Fiona from Henderson

This is a message to all of the pet owners, who insist on taking their fur babies out for a car ride.

Now, while I can never underestimate the love each of you have for your 'baby', please show your pet the respect and love you have for it by NOT letting it hang out the window of your car.

As of late, I've seen far too many of you doing just this and it makes my heart skip a beat each time.
The rest of us don't know if your fur baby is going to jump or fall out of that window. We don't know if they are going to fall when the breaks are applied or for any other reason, we don't know if they are going to jump to greet another dog they've seen.
We don't know!

Watching a dog extending its head or any other body part outside a motor vehicle window while the person is driving the motor vehicle on a public road or motorway, makes me (and so many others) so nervous.
The ones that are on the driver's lap or hanging out of the driver's window just absolutely beggars belief!

I understand that your dog wants fresh air, but for the love of God, restrain your fur baby with a harness or pet seat belt or put it in a appropriately sized crate in the back seat, anything to keep it safe and not fall/jump out of the window.
Maybe you could have it under under the physical control of a person other than the driver of the motor vehicle.

The same applies to those people who put their dog in the back of the ute on a long chain. What if the dog fell over the side and hung itself?
Please shorten the chain.

None of us want to see your 'baby' hurt or worse, killed on the roads.
Please, please, show the love you say you have for your pet by looking after it and protecting it in all places and occassions.