Any rules for my German Shepherd dog riding in the car?

Someome (that I really despise) was getting on me the other day about my German Shepherd dog riding in the passenger seat of my car. They were saying that the police could give me a ticket if he wasn't in the backseat. I have a fairly small car (a hyundai sonata) and a very large dog, so he cannot sit in the backseat. The seat in the back is a bench seat, and his paws slide off causing him to fall on the floor. The passenger seat is the only seat large enough to accomodate him safely and comfortably. He NEVER gets in the way of my driving, and I am always very cautious when driving with him. Can I really get a citation for this?
Additional Details
Please don't recommend those "doggy seatbelts." I've looked into those, and they are a joke.

I'm not your star.

I have a German Shepherd too (in Florida) and we always let her sit in the car. Nobody has ever found a problem with it before- I think the person you were talking to was probably just being obnoxious.

CanadianGuitar

tie the dog to the roofrack with some rope and let her fly...

doug0102

A cop can give you a ticket for ANYTHING he considers a "distraction." Since there's nothing in the book about dogs in cars, it's up to a cop.

Wonder

In California, there are no laws regarding dogs riding in the car. (It is illegal to have an unrestrained dog in the back of a pick-up.) I tried a doggy seat-belt and poor Molly nearly strangled herself. I was so busy getting her re-situated, I nearly drove off the road - kinda defeats the purpose.
-MM

Jessica C

I think it depends on the state you're in. Call the local police department to be sure.

jaym1101

not really unless you are in Massachusetts. Lawmakers are passing a law that your dog must be buckeled into a special seat belt.

lucasone

Just ignore that person

antran007

don't let rover jump

bobsled

No law against having a dog in the front seat....only if their head is sticking out of the window so far as to cause a safety issue

Darby

I think each state has different driving laws. I've never heard of any that covers dogs. It's really nobody else's business. I'd keep a harness and leash on him.

rylee.xo

dog seatbelts are pretty dumb, like how can they have a fun car ride when there stuck to the seat on a foot long leash, if you are ok with having him infront then i dont think its a problem, you could check it out though. In the case that it is a problem.. then your out of luck

Stefaniaâ™¥Atleti

You should have told her it's none of her buisness.
Theres nothing wrong with your dog being there if his not getting in the way.

Kiffin # 1

The dog really should be belted in for his/her safety and your own. There's no law saying he must be, but it would definitely take some of the worry out of traveling with him/her. If the dog were to interfere with your operation of the vehicle, and you were involved in an accident, you would obviously be held liable, so I would strongly recommend you at least restrain him/her.

Kaci

Last time I checked, there are no seatbelt laws for dogs. My pug rides in the car with me all the time and I have even had cops come to my window and tell me he was cute. They had no problem with him being in the car. I would check with local law enforcement to find out if there is a law stating that the dog cannot be in the front seat and see if there is any other dog-car related laws. If so, lemme know.

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