Bill would ban your dog from sticking its head out the car window
Florida Senator Lauren Book introduced a new bill aimed at protecting animals by making it illegal to let a dog stick its head out of a car window or sit on a driver’s lap while driving.
Senate Bill 932 also includes provisions to make it illegal to transport a dog “on the running board, fender, hood, or roof of a motor vehicle,” as well as in the trunk or an enclosed cargo space. Dogs also may not be transported in an automobile that is being towed.
In addition to those restrictions, the bill would require dogs to be secured in a crate appropriate for the size of the dog while in a motor vehicle on a public roadway, restrained with a safety harness or seat belt that is not a neck restraint.
Also, although it may seem unusual for someone to do so, a dog cannot be transported on the roof, hood, fender or running board of a motor vehicle. If a car is being towed, a dog cannot be there either.
Pick-up trucks
On the other hand, it is very common to see people transporting dogs in the back of their pick-up trucks, but in unusual ways in which the animals are unprotected, tied with a rope with which they can hang or fall and get hit, and even get out of the vehicle, due to the movement, as well as exposed to the sun, rain or cold.
This bill seeks to legalize that Floridians must transport dogs in special cages for them, according to their size, where they can turn around, lie down comfortably or stand and sit without space impediments, as long as they have ventilation and adequate protection from the weather conditions.
All this as long as the cage is properly secured to the vehicle
In case the dogs are not in a cage, they must be tied to a breastplate, harness or rope for dogs, which is not too tight to their neck or does not limit their movements such as being able to sit, since many times they remain standing because of the position in which they are placed.
Also a person, other than the driver, can be with the animal, ensuring the safety of the dog in a vehicle.
For violations, dog owners or drivers would be open to possible citations for moving violations, with charges that do not count as a criminal traffic infraction. On the other hand the bill also establishes rules for cat owners, making it illegal to remove cats’ claws if it is not for medically necessary therapy.
If a cat has all or part of its claws removed, the state could fine the owner $1,000. Individual incidents of a cat having all or part of its claws removed would legally count as separate violations. If the bill passes both houses of the Florida Legislature and gets the governor’s approval, it would go into effect Oct. 1.