Doggie riding in bed of truck- Illegal?

[S-Man]

So I've been taking my puppy back and forth from my home to my shop to spend the day with me at work so he won't be lonesome at home.
He's getting used to riding back there in the bed of my truck, and I tie the leash down to a cargo hook, connecting leash to his collar (Just as a precaution)
I pull up to the house today and my neighbor tells me that they (cops) will give hefty tickets if they see you do that.
I've passed dozens of cops carrying him and haven't heard anything.
He says that the dog has to not be able to lean over the edge of the bed.

People used to carry their dogs in the back of trucks all the time.
Anyone know what the deal is for sure?

P.S. I don't want to hear flaming from PETA huggers complaining about "doggie saftey". I realize the risks involved. Law discussion only please.

Thanks.

[kamekaze]

The law only carries to people it looks like.

V.T.C.A., Transportation Code 545.414. Riding in Open Beds; Offense

(a) A person commits an offense if the person operates an open-bed pickup truck or an open flatbed truck or draws an open flatbed trailer when a child younger than 18 years of age is occupying the bed of the truck or trailer.

(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $25 or more than $200.

(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was:

(1) operating or towing the vehicle in a parade or in an emergency;

(2) operating the vehicle to transport farmworkers from one field to another field on a farm-to-market road, ranch-to-market road, or county road outside a municipality;

(3) operating the vehicle on a beach;

(4) operating a vehicle that is the only vehicle owned or operated by members of the household;

(5) or operating the vehicle in a hayride permitted by the governing body of or law enforcement agency of each county or municipality in which the hayride will occur.

(a) Compliance or noncompliance with Subsection (a) is not admissible evidence in a civil trial.

(b) In this section, "household" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.005, Family Code.

[Howard Barlow]

It's ok to let kids ride in the bed if a dog is driving, though.

[toverman]

I guess if you get stopped, you can say that you were in a parade but got lost. Or didn't realize you were no longer on the beach.

[Cajungaltx]

None through the state - might check your local city just to be extra safe.

I'm a member of PETA - "People Eating Tasty Animals" - *grin* - so I feel quite comfortable saying - that, yes, people have been letting their dogs ride in the back of the truck for ages - but, having grown up in farming country in Louisiana - I rode in the back of my daddy's pick up truck - sitting on the wheel well of his dodge pick up truck - my brothers sitting on the lip of the pick up truck - driving down the main road at 50+ mph.

We survived it - but there were a few close calls that I see now (as a parent) that could have entirely been prevented. One of my brothers was actually thrown out of the back of the pickup into a ditch when my dad almost had an accident.

The neighbors had a gorgeous border collie that they had to put down because she was pushed (quite forcibly) from the back of the truck by a semi-truck passing them. The wind caught her - and she went out the back, and was hit by the driver behind them. They use one of those truck harness things now for their dogs - their dogs still rides in the back - but it keeps them in the center and keeps the risk of injury lower.



Another of our friends - out here in suburbia Katy - was transporting their new dog - with their kids in the back of their suburban - and the dog apparently decided to jump out the window of their car going down Mason or Fry. Broke legs, broke other stuff - and the family literally couldn't afford the cost of all that, and had the dog put down.

I think - at minimum - accessing the risk of injury as you would anything you own - is part of being a responsible owner.

My position on this, I think, is kind of unique. I grew up on a farm where most of the 'pets' usually ended up in the freezer. But, at the same time, I grew up understanding the dollar value that you 'invest' in an animal - and just like anything else you own - you should take reasonable precautions to preserve that investment.

[S-Man]

Donna, Thanks! I like that contraption...any Idea where I can get one?

And we're on the same channel. While I'm not sure how unique your position is, it's certainly rare. I was raised with lots of animals, and my dad was raised on a farm.
Being raised on a farm as he was, he had to put down some animals as a young man/boy- things such as a horse, mule, cows, etc. due to injuries to the animal. You also see the life-cycle of animals and learn not to get too attached to animals to where if they die your life falls apart.
He tried to instill the same values in me and my brothers.
My best dog of 13 years died two weeks ago (old age) and I was sad, but not depressed. We buried him in the back.
Poor Pee-Wee. He will be missed.


That said, I do value the life of my animals and do everything in my power to protect them from harm and unnecessary risks.

[donlfaulkner]

Originally Posted by S-Man

Donna, Thanks! I like that contraption...any Idea where I can get one?

And we're on the same channel. While I'm not sure how unique your position is, it's certainly rare. I was raised with lots of animals, and my dad was raised on a farm.
Being raised on a farm as he was, he had to put down some animals as a young man/boy- things such as a horse, mule, cows, etc. due to injuries to the animal. You also see the life-cycle of animals and learn not to get too attached to animals to where if they die your life falls apart.
He tried to instill the same values in me and my brothers.
My best dog of 13 years died two weeks ago (old age) and I was sad, but not depressed. We buried him in the back.
Poor Pee-Wee. He will be missed.


That said, I do value the life of my animals and do everything in my power to protect them from harm and unnecessary risks.

I took a length of rope, put a loop in the middle with a clip for the collar, a loop at each end for a clip that I fastened to to the tydowns in the bed of the pickup. I used the tydowns at the front of the bed to keep the dog from going over the tailgate and dragging/hanging behind the truck. The middle loop was just long enouth to give him a little room to move around but short enough to keep him from going over the edge of the bed.

[JohnT]

A friend of mine saw a dog, which was tethered in the back of a pick-up, fall over the side and under a rear wheel of the truck while traveling down a highway. I share this only to say to make sure the tethering is short enough so this doesn't happen to you and your dog.

[S-Man]

Yeah, I thought about that, John. I used to tie him to the front cargo hook, then I looked to see how the length of the leash puts him right under the rear tires. Since then I've been tying him to the rear hook. At least he won't get run over initially, and there's a higher chance of him surviving the tumble. I don't take him on the freeway. Only smaller back streets of 35-40 mph. (still fast, i know, but the survival rate is higher this way)
Lets hope he never decides to jump out. I'm going to get one of those things that Donna posted a pic of.

[Roy]

I've got a tip for you but since you only want discussions of law I'll have to keep it to myself or start my own thread.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by S-Man

Donna, Thanks! I like that contraption...any Idea where I can get one?

And we're on the same channel. While I'm not sure how unique your position is, it's certainly rare. I was raised with lots of animals, and my dad was raised on a farm.
Being raised on a farm as he was, he had to put down some animals as a young man/boy- things such as a horse, mule, cows, etc. due to injuries to the animal. You also see the life-cycle of animals and learn not to get too attached to animals to where if they die your life falls apart.
He tried to instill the same values in me and my brothers.
My best dog of 13 years died two weeks ago (old age) and I was sad, but not depressed. We buried him in the back.
Poor Pee-Wee. He will be missed.


That said, I do value the life of my animals and do everything in my power to protect them from harm and unnecessary risks.

It's called a Champion Restraint -

http://usak9outfitters.com/autosafetygear.htm

[shamrock]

In Austin, it's illegal to transport your dog in the truck bed. State law hasn't been passed yet, but probably will eventually.

Champion makes great restraints, i have their harnesses and seat belt attachments for several of my guys.

[S-Man]

Originally Posted by Roy

I've got a tip for you but since you only want discussions of law I'll have to keep it to myself or start my own thread.

Helpful tips and suggestions are more than welcome.

I was trying to avoid a heated discussion regarding animal rights and potential cruelty accusations. There's always a few self-righteous zealots when certain subjects are brought up.
I hope this doesn't make me look like a jack-hole, I just was trying to avoid a heated discussion.
Please, send your suggestions my way.

Thanks Donna!

S-Man added 0 Minutes and 51 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

^ So you're saying that even with a harness restraint system, having a dog in the back is illegal in Austin?

S-Man added 2 Minutes and 52 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Oh, and that "Champions Restraint" website needs to hire a photographer for their product photos

[epoh]

I see a lot of folks with a crate tied down in their bed for transporting their dogs. Seems like the easiest 'safe' solution.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by epoh

I see a lot of folks with a crate tied down in their bed for transporting their dogs. Seems like the easiest 'safe' solution.

I've seen that too. If I ever get a dog that's big enough to ride in my truck bed, that's how I plan to transport it.