FILE PHOTO (Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Humane Society of Utah is pleading with people to not put dogs in truck beds or on truck beds.
The organization says it is incredibly dangerous for dogs and for other motorists when an owner puts their dog in the back of a truck. Instead, it urges people to find other ways to transport their dogs.
Stowing dogs in truck beds isn’t illegal in Utah. However, injury or death to a dog caused by an accident where the animal is riding unrestrained in the back of a truck can result in animal cruelty charges. If convicted, penalties include up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
American Humane estimates at least 100,000 dogs die in accidents like these each year. The organization says that number does not take into account the drivers injured or killed because of distractions caused by seeing an unrestrained dog on the freeway.
The Utah Humane Society suggests having dogs ride in the cab of a truck or, if there is no alternative to the bed, inside a secured crate.
Contact the Utah Humane Society Advocacy Department at advocacy@utahhumane.org for additional information.
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