Many folks driving around Squamish don't seem to be aware that it is illegal to have a dog loose in the bed of a truck — but it is.
Section 72 of the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act and Section 9.3 of B.C. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act makes it illegal to transport unsecured pets in the back of a pickup truck.
"This time of year, we start to see more people taking their pets, particularly dogs, with them on road trips or camping. We recommend that pets are kept inside the vehicle in a secured crate or restrained with a dog seatbelt," said Lorie Chortyk, the SPCA's general manager of communications in a press release that was originally sent out province-wide in May, but reissued July 11 by the Sea to Sky Branch of the BC SPCA.
A Squamish' SPCA spokesperson told The Chief it is a common issue in the Sea to Sky Corridor during the summer.
The dangers are that the pets can distract drivers and pets can be launched from the truck during a crash.
This can cause injuries to the dog, and for others.
Dogs tied up with ropes or ties can also accidentally hang themselves.
Further, in the summer heat, pets can also suffer heatstroke in the bed of a truck, the release states.
According to the SPCA, the safest way a pet can be transported is in a secured crate in the centre of a truck box or in short leads cross-tied to a harness.
"If you see a dog that is unattached in the back of a pickup truck, call 911 to report the license plate number, make and model of the vehicle and provide a description of the dog," said Chortyk.
