Really Dumb Question About Dogs and Driving

Is it illegal to drive with your dog on your lap in the UK? I went to pick up my daughter in the town over from us and got SCREAMED at by a policeman. I told him that I didn't know you could do it here and proceeded to secure my dog in the back seat with his leash. He told me that if he was a traffic warden he could take away my licence all the while, his fellow officers were yelling at him to hurry up because they were on a call. Believe it or not he made them stop the van to yell at me. Hopefully they weren't heading to help someone in trouble.

No offence intended, but I find it hard to believe that any country or sane person would consider it safe to drive with a live animal on your lap! It's certainly not safe for the dog who would be killed in even a fairly minor accident.

It's also not considered a good idea to drive whilst juggling kitchen knives, completing a sudoku puzzle with your feet or eating a KFC variety meal. . . . . . 

No offence intended, but I find it hard to believe that any country or sane person would consider it safe to drive with a live animal on your lap! It's certainly not safe for the dog who would be killed in even a fairly minor accident.

Have to agree with boatmad on this one... would you drive with a baby on your lap?  It's the same thing!  Basic common sense. 

No offence intended, but I find it hard to believe that any country or sane person would consider it safe to drive with a live animal on your lap! It's certainly not safe for the dog who would be killed in even a fairly minor accident.

I'm with boatmad and Q-G on this one. 

I'm with boatmad and Q-G on this one. 

Me too. I have a German Shepherd which I could probably sit on HIS lap (do dog's have laps?) but I still secure him with his leash when we take him out in the car. I wouldn't think of going anywhere without my kids secured in the car so why would I take risks with my dog?

I agree with the others.  Your dog should really be secured in the back.  They make doggie seat belts, which work great.

Even if its not illegal, its not smart.

It wouldn't so much be that there is a specific law about driving with a dog on your lap, but that it would be 'driving without due care and attention'.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5341720.stm

So, yes.  You could be prosecuted for it.  

My dad's friend just lost their Jack Russell puppy because they had to slam on the brakes in traffic and the little guy hit the windshield and died of head injuries.   :\\\'(

My dad's friend just lost their Jack Russell puppy because they had to slam on the brakes in traffic and the little guy hit the windshield and died of head injuries.   :\\\'(

That's awful!!  :\\\'(

My dad's friend just lost their Jack Russell puppy because they had to slam on the brakes in traffic and the little guy hit the windshield and died of head injuries.   :\\\'(

Oh, no!!  How awful.   :\\\'(

I'm afraid to admit I'm so soppy about my three year old Labrador that I bought a car pretty much just for carrying him as he really liked the big boot on it and the rear side windows in the boot pop open to keep him cool! 

I'm afraid to admit I'm so soppy about my three year old Labrador that I bought a car pretty much just for carrying him as he really liked the big boot on it and the rear side windows in the boot pop open to keep him cool! 

my last 3 or 4 cars were chosen with our greyhound in mind.
I'd have liked to have something smaller, but... his needs have to be taken into consideration too. 

Did you get your greyhound through one of those greyhound rescue operations?

i got him from Battersea Dogs Home.

They're really sweet dogs. I have a friend in the States who rescued two ex-race greyhounds from a greyhound rescue operation.