How to travel with pets

It’s not unusual to see the occasional German Shepherd (or ambitious pug) hanging out the front passenger window, but what price do you put on a pooch’s ‘wind through the ears’ freedom? Try more than $400 if you’re caught travelling with an unrestrained pet in a vehicle in New South Wales.

While there aren’t any specific laws related to restraining pets in cars in states such as Victoria and Queensland, it is, however, illegal to drive around with your pet sitting in your lap (with the latter, you can be slapped with a $294 fine and lose three demerit points, and the consequences for breaking the rules in school zones are even higher).

While you’re welcome to drive with your pet – be it a dog, cat or other – secured in the front passenger seat, it’s important to consider the potential deployment of airbags, which can seriously injure or kill your pet if it is struck with force. For this reason, the back seat is always best – no matter how much they beg.

Need a little extra incentive to learn to ignore your pet’s back-seat guilt trip? Remember this: if your pet is injured because it wasn’t properly restrained in your car, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, you can face up to six months in jail, as well as pay a maximum fine of up to $5500.