Drivers warned of fines up to £5,000 for not restraining their dog in a car

The vehicle leasing company Hippo Leasing has reminded drivers to stay safe or risk significant fines if they are taking their dog to work.

According to a study by The Kennel Club, 70 percent of people believe dogs relieve stress in the workplace, with pets coming to work an increasingly common sight.

However, Tom Preston, the founder of Hippo Leasing, advised motorists on the safest way for a dog to ride in a car.

He said: “To avoid your dog from moving around your car and distracting you, the safest way to restrain dogs is to use a travel harness, carrier, crate or a boot gate/dog guard.

“You should choose a solution that’s most suitable for your pet and install it in the vehicle. For example, if your dog is crate trained at home, it would be a good idea to get a crate for your vehicle as it can also comfort your pet on long journeys.”

Hippo Leasing also revealed a list of things that a dog, and its owner, should never do whilst in a vehicle.

Whilst it is legal for a dog to sit in the front passenger seat, the company suggested that they may distract the driver whilst on the move, and the airbag in front may frighten them if it goes off.

Similarly, it is also a bad idea to leave a dog alone in a vehicle, particularly when the windows are rolled up, as the temperature inside a car can rise very quickly, increasing the risk of illness.

Whilst many enjoy seeing a dog stick their head out of a car window, Hippo Leasing warned motorists against letting their pet do it.

If a dog is not appropriately restrained and stick their head out of the window, they could easily jump out of the car, putting their life at risk.

Finally, the company also reminded drivers not to feed their dog less than two hours before a journey in order to avoid them from getting nauseous or travel sick.

According to the Highway Code, dogs must always be suitably restrained in a vehicle in order to keep them, the driver and any passengers safe in case of an accident.

Tom explained the severity of the fines that a driver can face if they have been found breaking this rule.

“The punishment for this is a £1,000 fine and three points on your license, however, the fine can increase up to £5,000 if the case is taken to court.”