In the first phase of the operation of Holy Week 2025, which will begin tomorrow, Friday, April 11 and in which Se foresee 4.2 million roads by roadthe Royal Canine Society of Spain (RSCE) alerts the importance of not taking the loose dog inside the car when traveling.
According to various reports made by the RACE, Royal Canin and the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) in case of An accident at a speed of 50 km/h The loose animal multiplies its weight by 35.
«Animals that are not carried properly in the vehicle represent a significant risk of injuries for all their occupants», Warns the DGT.
What does the regulations say?
So, yes A dog that weighs 30 kilograms, When traveling loose, in case of a frontal crash (by impact of the car against another vehicle or against any other type of object) at the indicated speed, the animal would multiply its weight to 1,050 kilos. This would cause the dog to be thrown as a projectile inside the car, a situation that would put his own life and that of the rest of human occupants at risk.
In this sense, the RSCE provides more data distinguishing the weight by races relating them to an accident at 50 kilometers. A Chihuahua, With an average weight of 2 kilos, it would multiply its weight to 70 kilos, and a Labrador of 30 would pass to 1,050 following a frontal shock. In the case of a mastiff of about 60 kilos, in case of collision, its weight would become 2,100.
For this reason and because there are more and more families that incorporate into their life a dog as a company animal, lA rsce affects the high degree of ignorance of the regulations that regulates the transport of animals in vehicles, since almost half of the dog owners admit to having doubts about it.
Fines between 200 and 500 euros
Although the DGT does not have within its transport regulation code a standard that specifically regulates the transport of pets, the General Circulation Regulation indicates that The driver must guarantee their safety, that of the occupants and that of others on the roadin addition to ensuring the location of passengers and animals to avoid any interference in driving.
Also, the regulations, consider Very serious infraction driving whether the animal travels in the driver’s lap or loose in the car. This breach can cause fines that range between 200 euros to 500 euros and the loss of six points in the card. In the event that the dog is badly assuredfor example, with the seat belt, the fine is 80 euros.
The weight of a dog multiplies considerably in a frontal shock during a traffic accident (RSCE source).How to take the dog subject in the car
There are several Homologated support systems for the transport of dogs in the carfrom harnesses of one or two anchors, to transport in the floor or trunk, through rigid grilles for the trunk.
The choice of one or the other It depends on the size and weight of the animal. In general, the best way to take dogs, if they are small (such as a Chihuahua or a Yorkshire), is in Your carrier on the vehicle floor after the front seats.
If the dog is large (like a farmer, a Golden Retriever or a mastin), the best is Place it in a carrier according to its size in the trunk in a transverse position to the address of the march and, in addition, combine this system with a dividing rack.
Care with temperatures
In any case and before the millions of displacements that will occur during the next few days on the Spanish roads, the RSCE It affects the importance of always using an adequate support system To the characteristics and peculiarities of each dog, in addition to consulting the veterinarian on the best tips to prevent dizziness.
On the other hand, the RSCE also warns about some negligent acts that the owners, such as, such as Leave the dog inside the vehicle with high temperaturesa fact that also implies fines ranging from 500 to 10,000 euros.
Risk situations
Finally, the Royal Canine Society of Spain recommends to the owners, once the trunk or one of the doors is opened, than They anticipate potential risk situationssince the animal can run and be hit by another vehicle.
According to the president of the RSCE, José Miguel Doval, «It is crucial that drivers are aware of the risks involved in traveling with a dog loose in the car ».
«Information properly about the correct practices of pet transport, such as the Use of homologated support systemscan make a difference between a safe driving and an accident. Acting in a responsible manner is to guarantee everyone’s safety in the vehicle, ”concludes Doval.
