Ruff ride? Why dogs should buckle up as death rate for fluffy friends in car accidents is high, research finds

DAILYMAIL.COM • 1d ago

By ROGER DOBSON 00:05 04 Oct 2026, updated 00:28 04 Oct 2026

It’s second nature for anyone getting into a car to put on a seatbelt – and it seems the time has come to make sure your dog buckles up, too.

Four decades since it became a legal requirement for drivers and front-seat passengers to wear a seatbelt, academics say man’s best friend should have their own bespoke version when riding in a car.

It comes as research reveals the death rate for dogs in vehicle accidents is high, with almost 10 per cent of canines involved in the 268 incidents examined dying and 28 per cent being so badly hurt they had to be rushed to a vet.

The analysis also found that the smallest breeds, which are more prone to being thrown about, were at the highest risk of death.

The Highway Code recommends animals should be ‘suitably restrained’ to prevent distractions to drivers.

But while seatbelts for humans are strictly regulated and tested, those for animals are not.

As such, academics want further work to be done to create harnesses which keep pets safe.

This includes looking at different restraints suitable for varying sizes of dog.

Writing in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention, the Colorado State University team said: ‘As pets increasingly travel as vehicle occupants, their safety can no longer rely on unregulated products and anecdotal evidence.’

They added that to prevent deaths, ‘evidence-based’ restraints were now needed.

Always read the small print: The extraordinary case of the bungling council that sold a run-down…

Christa Pike’s hospital room surrounded by guards as lawyer says she may never ‘fully recover’ after…

Police lock down ENTIRE town to stop anti-migrant unrest as 12 protesters arrested after nearly 150…

US military removes all B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford after ‘Iran-linked terror plot’ against the…

Dozens of residents of village with a population of 700 vow to ‘sell up and move’ over plans to…

Russian PLAGUE alert: Hundreds of people and three hospitals put into quarantine amid fatal outbreak…

White House on high alert and ‘assessing options’ as plague breaks out in Russia with hundreds put…

Get over it! Polanski backs attack on Green critics of ‘anti-Semitic’ Zionism is Racism policy as he…

University professor who led secret double life as paedophile continued working despite guilt – and…

‘Israeli 9/11 terrorist pilot dreamed of crashing plane into Tel Aviv’s airport or tower complex and…

Animal rights group that attacked Prince and Princess of Wales for their dog having puppies is…

Kieran Hayler accuses Katie Price of ‘setting him up’ as court told he ‘pinned down and raped…

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reveals Labour ministers constantly lobby her to give out more visas…

The shabby West London street plagued by 33 fast food restaurants, 11 barbers and tacky vape…

Nearly all women who try to reach UK in small boats are raped during their journey, Home Secretary…

Body of missing girl, 11, is found in park as police probe ‘unexplained’ death

Death rate for dogs in car accidents is high, research findsComments are subject to our House rules and TermsNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}

No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first.

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{#replies.comments}}{{^isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{#isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{/replies.comments}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{^replies.totalCount}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{/isComment}}The opinions and views expressed in the comments section are solely those of the individual users and do not represent or reflect the opinions, views, or positions of MailOnline. MailOnline does not endorse, support, or verify the accuracy of any user-generated content.Terms|Privacy|FeedbackOldest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}