Pulled Over Dogs in Bed of Truck

[mjgentile]

FYI,
My daughter was driving I was riding shotgun, good thing cause I had a beer just before we left home.
Anyway state trouper pulled her over gave her a warning that dogs are not suppose to be in bed of truck unless they are under a canopy or in a cage. I like most of you always but dogs in bed, lived here 6 years own truck for 5 never got pulled over before.
 
RCW 46.61.660
Carrying persons or animals on outside part of vehicle.

It shall be unlawful for any person to transport any living animal on the running board, fenders, hood, or other outside part of any vehicle unless suitable harness, cage or enclosure be provided and so attached as to protect such animal from falling or being thrown therefrom. It shall be unlawful for any person to transport any persons upon the running board, fenders, hood or other outside part of any vehicle, except that this provision shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or to solid waste collection vehicles that are engaged in collecting solid waste or recyclables on route at speeds of twenty miles per hour or less.

[Antlershed]

I like most of you always but dogs in bed

Can't say I've ever done it. My GSP is always in his crate which is tied down. I would hate for him to go flying across the pavement if I had to hit the brakes or were in an accident. 

[bobcat]

I usually hauled my dogs in plastic crates in the bed of my truck, but never tied the crate down. Now I've got a canopy and they still usually ride in a crate, unless it's just a short trip over to Scatter Creek for a run, then sometimes they just ride loose in the back, under the canopy. I never realized there was a law about that. I'm sure I've violated it several times.

[benbo30]

i normally put the leash on my dog in the bed , but sometimes i dont if im only going down the road or something she is fine like that and i never been pulled over for it , i dont think it is enforced very much

[big ed]

my dog has her own seat in the truck cab.she is a little spoiled but that all right .I figure as long as she is safe.she can sit any where she wants except the driver seat.

[jackelope]

my dog rides in the back seat of the cab or in his crate in the bed under the canopy tied down. once in  a while he gets to roam around for a short trip under the canopy, but not usually.

i'm not gonna preach any more than this...honestly it pisses me off to see dogs loose in the beds of trucks without a canopy. they've got virtually no chance of survival in a wreck. my dog is worth it to me to keep him as safe as i can.
i think it's a great law.

[dbllunger]

Had to be on the west side. 

[logger]

I guess it's sorta depends on where you live, my dad runs cattle in the okanogan. his dogs ride on the flatbed and have for 30 years, I asked him about this law and he had never heard of it. I don't think his dogs would ever go for the crate thing. I do know this with out a doubt you could tye those dogs to a saddle in dowtown seattle and it wiil still be there when you get back. I don't think that it's a bad law, I just don't think it would fly in E wa.

[Birdguy]

I have never seen a working dog in a crate or tied in east of the mountains. Sometimes I have wondered how many times they fell out to learn to stay on so well . On the wetside however you seldom see not at least under a canopy, heck most of the time they are in the front seat with their heads out the window to the shoulder, probably more dangerous then having them loose in the bed. I personally keep mine under the canopy and in a crate when traveling any distance, just safer for all involved. That being said growing up we had blue healers and they rode on the tractor or 3 wheeler or truck or wherever they wanted. Just another sign of thetimes .

[EastWaViking]

...and as kids we used to ride in the back of the pickup, usually standing up or sitting on the edge of the bed.
some times there are just too many rules.

[Birdguy]

 

[logger]

I was in colfax today, and felt totally out of place. I was meeting a guy at the store and my pickup still had the box on it, and every pickup i saw had a flatbed and at least 2 border collies sittin on the bed including the guy i met.

[benbo30]

I was in colfax today, and felt totally out of place. I was meeting a guy at the store and my pickup still had the box on it, and every pickup i saw had a flatbed and at least 2 border collies sittin on the bed including the guy i met.

yea i see that alot around here as well flatbeds that have dogs on them , and most of them arent even tied down

[Happy Gilmore]

I think the law says cattle dogs are exempt. They are supposed to ride on top of the pick up cab or on a few bales of hay. I think because most are Blue Healers that will bite anything that gets near the truck and everyone is hoping the baskirds fall off going 70mph down the highway and don't have another chance to take a chunk of meat from you hind end.....

[BLUEBULLS]

my pick-up was actually on the news a few months ago for this very thing. My wife works at a vet and they were interviewing them about the issue. We just happened to have our crate strapped in the back that day. 99% of the time he rides in back tied up with his feet on top of the cab. the only reason he's tied up is because he'll bail out after cats.

[Schmalzfam]

We NEVER let our dogs ride unenclosed in the back of our truck, ever! To be 100% honest, it pisses me off to see dogs free and roaming about the bed of a truck. It doesn't bother me about the cattle/working dogs, this is kinda their way of life or the dog in the bed of a truck going through town. But, if you've ever seen an animal hung over the side of the bed of a truck or the dog after it has fallen out and road rashed it's entire body .....you'd NEVER think about not crating them and using rachet straps to tie them down!!!

[benbo30]

yea thats true but if your dog is trained to stay in the truck then it shouldnt be a worry or problem, i have never had problems with my dog jumping out of the truck at a stop light or falling out , not even when she sees another dog

[benbo30]

although now i bought that dog/tool box that was in classifieds on here a while ago , an they are crated up now , sometimes when i take only one dog with me i let her in the bed of the truck if we are going short distance but long distance i crate them

[tlbradford]

I had always let them ride loose in the back as well.  I also used to let them jump over the side of the truck when called.  I never had a problem, but I got softer as I got older and now he gets a nice tied down crate and the tailgate dropped for him.  I know it is better and safer for the overall health of the dogs too. 

[Gutpile]

When will they stop protecting us from ourselves with these silly laws?/ Just a way to generate income. I agree it's not the smartest thing but I think it's just dumb to get pulled over for it.

I used to through my dog in the back occasionally but he jumped out once and I never did it without his cage again. I saw him in the mirror running after the truck.        WTF!!!!    

[Lowedog]

Geezus!  My dad must have been a real a-hole!  My brother and I rode around in the back of the truck all the time when we were kids.  the dog rode up front though so I guess he wasn't all that bad.    Only took me 2 or 3 times of falling out to learn not to bark and lunge at the cars going the other way!

[Schmalzfam]

yea thats true but if your dog is trained to stay in the truck then it shouldnt be a worry or problem, i have never had problems with my dog jumping out of the truck at a stop light or falling out , not even when she sees another dog

Well, that's fine and dandy....but, what would happen to your dog if you got into an accident? It's kinda like the seat belt law, in my opinion.

[hogsniper]

It might be easier to know what you can do that isnt against the law anymore!!! Man this *censored* is just crazy!!! I break the law all the time and dont even know it...Cant believe some of this *censored*!!!

[benbo30]

yea thats true but thats just how i feel

[mjgentile]

I know people are going to disagree with me about not leashing my dogs down, sometimes I do sometime I don't, but as far a jumping out of the pickup they never have. I can even stop at a grocery store say stay come back later and all three of them are still in truck. I own three dogs a Rot(9), Black Lab(4) and a GSP(3). They only thing I do know when I shake the truck keys they plow me over on their way out the front door. The only thing I do know is if the tropper gave me a ticket it could have been a Misdemeanor. With that being said don't think I am going to put a canopy on but I will at least leash them in.

[dontgetcrabs]

I had no idea it was a law, all the dogs I've ever owned have been trained to ride in the back of my truck. When ever we are out bird hunting and see a dog "secured" in a box or something we assume it's a west sider with their fancy professionaly trained dogs. Boy I'm going to get killed for that huh!

[tlbradford]

If you guys are leashing them in the back, please make sure they can't get over the side.  I have heard more horror stories of dogs hanging themselves, than getting hurt when unleashed.

[MichaelJ]

I had no idea it was a law, all the dogs I've ever owned have been trained to ride in the back of my truck. When ever we are out bird hunting and see a dog "secured" in a box or something we assume it's a west sider with their fancy professionaly trained dogs. Boy I'm going to get killed for that huh!

X2!  My dog always rides in the cab with me, but all the dogs we've ever had rode in the bed of the truck... we'd teach 'em the first time by going up on a logging road and leaving them unleashed in the back...  they'll jump once but the ground is dirt and they'll learn not to mention the scoulding they got...  After that I've never had one jump a second time.

Its a *censored* law in my opinion.  Let people regulate themselves!  I also think the seatbelt thing is a big *censored* law to but what do I know... atleast here in ID its only a $10 fine!!!

Michael

[woodywsu]

I agree. Stupid law. My brother got stopped along Highway 26 last year for crossing it with dogs on the flatbed. He went two miles from the farm to his house. Absolutely rediculous. It is an excuse to pull someone over and harass somebody. At least in Idaho you don't have that ridiculous motorcycle helmet law. That is another one. I personally would wear a helmet at all times, but why does it have to be enforced.

[mossback91]

I guess in the end its always someones own fault if they dont wanna wear a seatbelt or helmet........but those are some nasty looking wrecks now a dog in the end is just a dog so who cares

[muleysgirl13]

I hauled my rotty in the back of the pick-ups all the time but I always had him tied in with a harness on.  I didn't want him to jump out when I was parked and hang himself.  I wonder if that would meet the requirements for the law or if a kennel is necessary. I have an SUV now so it's not an issue but would still be curious for future referance. 

[runamuk]

I hauled my rotty in the back of the pick-ups all the time but I always had him tied in with a harness on.  I didn't want him to jump out when I was parked and hang himself.  I wonder if that would meet the requirements for the law or if a kennel is necessary. I have an SUV now so it's not an issue but would still be curious for future referance. 

A harness is legal 

[Red Dawg]

i have seen two dogs hung by jumping out of the truck and one split in half when it hit the corner of a windsheild. I feel it is a good law. In rural farming areas its not a big of deal

[HardCorpsHuntr]

The only thing I do know is if the tropper gave me a ticket it could have been a Misdemeanor.

What do you mean by this statement mjgentile?

[mjgentile]

A Misdemeanor (A,B,C)- (C Being Lowest) In some jurisdictions, those who are convicted of a misdemeanor are known as misdemeanants (as contrasted with those convicted of a felony who are known as felons). Depending on the jurisdiction, examples of misdemeanors may include: petty theft, prostitution, public intoxication, simple assault, disorderly conduct, trespass, vandalism, DUI and other similar crimes. In the United States, misdemeanors are crimes with a maximum punishment of 12 months of incarceration, typically in a local jail (again, as contrasted with felons, who are typically incarcerated in a prison). Those people who are convicted of misdemeanors are often punished with probation, community service or part-time imprisonment, served on the weekends.

- This just an idea of what the fine might be - The District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes.  Gross misdemeanor crimes carry a maximum penalty of one (1) year in jail and/or a $5,000.00 fine; misdemeanors are subject to a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000.00 fine.  The most common criminal charges include Domestic Violence charges, Assaults & Thefts.  Criminal traffic charges like Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Driving While License Suspended are also filed into this Court.

[Dakota Dogman]

No dogs in the back?  How are they suppose to get the pheasants I shoot over the cab as we are cruzing down the fence rows to the next corn field?  ... 

Oh... that's right I'm not on the Pine Ridge anymore.  Still seems like one extra law & to govern intellegence instead of morality to boot.

Ah well, when in Rome... guess the dog has to ride in the front from now own... he ain't goin' like that especially...

God Bless,

[alanger]

Had to be on the west side. 

or a very slow day on patrol.

[ICEMAN]

I will play Donahue for a second:

Geez guys, what a bunch of whiners crying about the law to keep your dogs under control while in the bed of a truck! I guess it is ok if the dog jumps as you cruise at 40mps...he'll be ok? Its just a stupid dog....  How much money do you have invested in the dog?  If your dog jumps or falls out of the bed and a vehicular accident results as someone swerves to miss or stops to help....are you going to pay for the accident?  Would you haul a horse or calf this way...? Standing in the back of your truck bed, or on a flat bed?  How about your shotgun, would you (purposely) lay it on the back of your flatbed for a short little ride to town? Your tackle box?  Your toddler?

You guys would probably take better care of a shed antler you found than your dog...

[Curly]

i have seen two dogs hung by jumping out of the truck and one split in half when it hit the corner of a windsheild. I feel it is a good law. In rural farming areas its not a big of deal

 

It is a good law.  I saw a golden retriever jump out of a truck doing about 40mph once.  The dog was trying to bite a low hanging branch.  The dog was fine, but if the road had more traffic on it, somebody could have been hurt by swerving or the dog could have been ran over.

I know that if my lab wasn't in his crate in the bed of the truck and he saw a pheasant somewhere, it wouldn't matter how fast we were going down the road.......nothing would stop him from jumping out and trying to get to the bird.

[The Weazle]

I was getting fuel one day and saw a guy with a brand new lab he just picked up from the breeders stop to get a drink...he was boasting, and showing it off, telling tales of the future...he left the gas station with the pup in the bed and turned into traffic, the pup jumped, got squished, and the guy didnt even know it...the car that hit the pup waited for about 15 minutes and then left cause he never showed back up...I wonder how long it took that selfish *censored* to figure out the dog was gone...my dogs always ride up front with me, or in a crate tied down in the bed if the cab is full.  I think its a great law, that isnt enforced enough!

[logger]

I don't think this is a bad law at all, I just don't think it flys on the east side in cattle country.

[yotehunter]

Dumb law. My grandpa drives everywhere with 3 or 4 hunting dogs in the back they never fall out and hes never been pulled over. He trains them to stay in the truck

[benbo30]

Dumb law. My grandpa drives everywhere with 3 or 4 hunting dogs in the back they never fall out and hes never been pulled over. He trains them to stay in the truck

yea thats the way it is , if they are trained like my dog is , they will not fall out or jump out .... i do believe that if you go on a long drive that it would be better that they are kenneled up but short distances would be ok

[jackelope]

I will play Donahue for a second:

Geez guys, what a bunch of whiners crying about the law to keep your dogs under control while in the bed of a truck! I guess it is ok if the dog jumps as you cruise at 40mps...he'll be ok? Its just a stupid dog....  How much money do you have invested in the dog?  If your dog jumps or falls out of the bed and a vehicular accident results as someone swerves to miss or stops to help....are you going to pay for the accident?  Would you haul a horse or calf this way...? Standing in the back of your truck bed, or on a flat bed?  How about your shotgun, would you (purposely) lay it on the back of your flatbed for a short little ride to town? Your tackle box?  Your toddler?

You guys would probably take better care of a shed antler you found than your dog...

i'm with iceman. i think it's a great law. and not because i'm a westsider or whatever. because too many things out of your or your dog's control can happen. if you think your dog won't fall out of the back of a truck because he was trained to stay in, you've got another thing coming. every once in a while i see a dog standing on a toolbox in the back of a truck or  i see a dog riding on a flatbed and wonder how long that dog's gonna survive and what a big idiot that guy is who doesn't care about the dog or how much money they have into training, how much their kid loves the dog, etc.
the dog is trained to not fall out? come on people.
i can see how it probably is not a popular law out in cattle country, but it's still a good law.

[logger]

I am telling you it won't fly with the cattleman of the eastside or his dogs . my dad has ran cattle his whole life and has never had a problem. maybe on the west side i would agree. if a trooper stopped my ole man and gave him a ticket he would wipe his ass with it and send it back to oly. do what you deem safe and let what others do alone. like I said it's not a bad law at all, you just can't teach an old dog new tricks. every situation is differrent I have a choc. lab that I will not let ride in the back, but my dad has border collies that would tottaly freak out in the cab or crate.

[muleysgirl13]

I think I agree with most.... going down a country road at 25-30 for a mile or two is one thing but going over the pass at 65-70 or a two lane highway if a dog jumped out it would atleast have broken bones if not be dead.  I think for alot of people their dog is their hunting buddy and a part of their family so taking an extra 3-5 minutes to secure a chain onto their harness or secure them in a kennel is worth keeping your friend safe.  But yes having to secure a cattle dog to drive down the road to the field where your bulls are at is stupid.  But as someone who had a cattle dog I can assure you she stayed untied going down the road but going down the highway or freeway she ALWAYS got tied in.  Its a good law but I can see where some people would have exceptions.  But i also know there are some people who don't have that kind of connection with their dogs and they see it as just a dog and for people that are attached to their dogs its hard to understand that.  Different strokes for different folks.