Three Things to Know
To understand New Zealanders’ pet transport practices, a study explored their attitudes toward road safety and concerns about unrestrained dogs.
Findings revealed that approximately half of dog owners used unsafe methods when transporting their dogs, including allowing dogs to roam freely or sit on laps.
Safer transport behaviors correlated with higher education levels, owning more dogs, and certain cultural and regional factors. This highlights a clear awareness deficit among a segment of pet owners.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners
Dog welfare advocates don’t always prioritize road safety concerns related to dogs. However, unsafe dog transport, practiced by half the population, significantly increases the likelihood of motor vehicle accidents. This makes it a crucial public safety issue that needs addressing.
Beyond promoting safe pet transport through public education, dog welfare advocates should also lobby to reform restrictive “pets on public transport” policies. This would encourage pet owners to use public transport as a safer and more environmentally friendly option whenever possible.
The Full Picture
Dog ownership is growing in New Zealand, with 34% of households owning a dog and many viewing them as family. Despite awareness of the dangers, many owners transport dogs in cars without restraints, posing safety risks. This study, titled “Dog-Associated Road Safety Concerns: A Pre-COVID Survey of New Zealand Pet Owners”, examines how New Zealanders transport their dogs, their attitudes toward road safety, and concerns about roaming dogs.
Study Methods
As part of the 2018–2019 Furry Whānau Wellbeing project, an online survey was conducted to explore dog transportation practices and perceptions of roaming pets in New Zealand. Participants responded to questions about how they transport their dogs in vehicles, with safety defined as using restraints, crates, or carriers.
Study Results
Of the 1,511 survey respondents, 51% reported transporting their dogs safely using restraints or crates. On the other hand, 49% used unsafe methods such as allowing dogs to roam freely or sit on laps. This figure is comparable to the U.S. but higher than in the UK and Australia, where stricter regulations and public awareness may drive safer practices.
Of owners who allowed their dogs some freedom within the car, 44% let their dogs roam freely in the backseat, while 19% placed their dogs in the boot/hatchback area. A smaller percentage allowed dogs closer to the driver: 12% had their dog on a passenger’s lap and 2% on the driver’s lap. In addition, 7% permitted their dog to roam freely throughout the entire vehicle, while a small minority, 2% reported letting their dog travel unrestrained on the deck of a ute or truck.
Safer transport was linked to higher education levels and owning more dogs, suggesting a gap in awareness among some pet owners. Cultural and regional attitudes — especially among rural populations — also play a role.
Among those who viewed roaming pets as a problem, common concerns included physical danger to pets and drivers, psychological distress from hitting animals, and the need for responsible pet ownership. Respondents also highlighted that attempts to rescue roaming dogs could pose additional road safety risks.
Conclusion
The study reinforces the need for consistent regulations and public education campaigns to promote safe pet transport and responsible ownership practices both inside vehicles and on private property.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > Offering Better Care > Designing A More Equitable Environment
Year of Publication:
2024
External Link:
Awawdeh L, Forrest RH. Dog-Associated Road Safety Concerns: A Pre-COVID Survey of New Zealand Pet Owners. Pets. 2024; 1(3):277-283. https://doi.org/10.3390/pets1030020