North Carolina House of Representatives: Stop allowing pets to travel unsafely in the back of pickup trucks.

Stop allowing pets to travel unsafely in the back of pickup trucks.

Greetings,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: North Carolina House of Representatives.

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Stop allowing pets to travel unsafely in the back of pickup trucks.

To the North Carolina House of Representatives
According to the Humane Society of Utah an estimated 100,000 dogs die every year as a result of falling or jumping off of pick-up trucks. Beyond the number of dogs that die there is another large number that will suffer from multiple fractures, severe burns, cuts and bruises. Even if dogs are tied down, the dogs can jump and be hanged or dragged alongside the vehicle, causing terrible abrasions. Hot metal of the truck floor can burn the feet of dogs. Dogs riding in the hot sun are also at high risk of heatstroke. In addition, they can get corneal ulcers when bugs, sand, debris, or other objects are blown into their eyes. In many cases, dogs that do manage to survive after jumping or accidentally being tossed out the back of these vehicles are hit and killed by other people following behind. That fact puts others on the roads of North Carolina at risk of accidents that could lead to injury or death of human life. If the cruelty to animals is not enough to outlaw this behavior, surely the reality of public risk is! Many other U.S. States have already recognized this as a dangerous situation and corrected it by creating laws to protect both the animals and people! I have created this petition with the belief that the state of North Carolina is an amazing state! I have faith that once these horrible facts, with a petition of names to show support… reach the desk of the North Carolina House of Representatives, change will take affect!
We the undersigned ask that you use your leadership powers to propose a bill identical or similar to the following:
Transporting Dogs in Pickup Trucks
No person shall transport any animal in the back of a motor vehicle in a space intended for any load on the vehicle on a public way unless:
• the space is enclosed or has side and tail racks to a height of at least 46 inches extending vertically from the floor;
• the animal is cross-tethered to the vehicle (simple, inexpensive cross-tethering devices are sold at pet-supply stores for $15-$40);
• the animal is protected by a secured container or cage;
• or the animal is otherwise protected in a manner that will prevent the animal from being thrown or from falling or jumping from the vehicle.

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Sincerely,
Stephanie Shilling

[Your name]