Transport dogs safely

Do you know the rules about transporting your dog on the back of a vehicle?

Unfortunately, unless safely restrained, dogs can be injured or killed while travelling on the back of a moving vehicle.

Agriculture Victoria says the law in Victoria requires that dogs on utes are restrained either via a tether or cage, so that the dog cannot fall off or be injured when the vehicle moves.

When the outside temperature is at or above 28 degrees Celsius, a dog on the metal tray of a ute or trailer must have access to an area of insulating material protecting the dog from contact with the metal surface.

Best practice is for dogs to travel in the cabin of the vehicle and be kept either:
• on the backseat using an appropriate seatbelt or restraining device
• in the open cargo area of a vehicle behind a cargo barrier.

For more information on how to protect your pet on a moving vehicle this summer, visit: https://go.vic.gov.au/gl8X45.