Farmers are known for letting their dogs jump in and out of their back crates, but that’s not realistic if you’re not driving in the yard.
- You can have a dog in your tray or tub in some states
- There are laws about the dog’s surface and how it is restrained
- You must tie your dog if they are behind your ute
It therefore makes sense that if you want to travel with your puppy in the back of the ute you must ensure that the animal is confined and in some parts of Australia you are not allowed to leave the dog in the tray or tray. your car’s bathtub at all!
If you make a mistake and get caught, it’s not just a slap on the wrist, and that’s because the laws aren’t considered rules of the road – they’re animal protection laws – meaning you could be fined. more than $8000, and you could face up to six months in prison, depending on the jurisdiction.
Here is a summary:
NSW
The Animal Cruelty Prevention Act of 1979 (section 7) states that “a person may not carry or transport a dog (other than a dog used for herding), in the back of a moving vehicle on the street unless the dog is locked or surrounded in a way to prevent the dog from falling out of the vehicle.” Fines of up to $5500 and/or six months in prison may apply.
ACT
Section 15A of the Animal Welfare Act 1992 – you cannot bring your dog in or on a moving vehicle if the dog is not leashed or enclosed in a way that prevents the dog from jumping or falling. Working dogs are exempt. Penalties of up to $3200 apply.
Victoria
The Animal Cruelty Prevention Act of 1986, Section 15A states that to transport a dog in a tray vehicle (ute, or chassis vehicle) or in a trailer, the dog must be secured to prevent it from “falling down.” “. off or out of, or from, or moving out of the tray or trailer (as the case may be); or injured by the movement of a motor vehicle or trailer. The rules do not apply to stray dogs. Penalties of up to $1850 may apply.
Queensland
The state recently passed the Animal Care and Protection Amendment Bill of 2022, which – like other states, allows farm dogs to be unrestricted. However, the regulations state: Drivers may not transport a dog on a vehicle tray or in a trailer unless the dog is secured in a way to prevent it — (a) from falling off, or out of, the tray or video clip. introduction; or (b) move away from the tray or trailer; or (c) injury caused by the movement of the vehicle or trailer.
If you do something wrong with your furry friend, the maximum penalty imposed can be 60 units or a hefty fine of $8625.
NT
In the Northern Territory, the rules are stricter than in other parts of the country, although there is leniency for dogs working in the warehouse. Section 34 of the Animal Protection Act 2018 (NT) states: A person commits an offence if: (a) he or she transports a dog by motor vehicle or trailer on a public street; and people who transport dogs by motor vehicle or trailer on a public street; and (b) the dog is not in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle; and (c) the dog is not protected in a way that prevents it from being injured by a fall from a motor vehicle or trailer.
The maximum penalty is 50 penalty units – equivalent to $8100.
South Australia
Under Section 45 of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995, a person must effectively protect a dog by: “(i) by placing it in a cage, vehicle, or other object or structure; or (ii) by fastening it to a fixed object with a chain, rope or chain of no more than 2 meters in length”.
There are exceptions – driving dogs, herding dogs and service dogs may fall outside these rules.
Western Australia
Section 6.2 of the Western Australian Dog Health and Welfare Standards and Guidelines 2020 states that people driving with dogs must ensure that, if a dog is transported in the back of a moving vehicle, road, it must be: (a) provided with adequate shelter during inclement weather; and (b) be appropriately protected by keeping the dog in a transport crate fixed to the vehicle; or (c) restrained by a lanyard when; (i) the length of the leash allows the dog to move, including standing and lying down, but does not allow the dog to jump or fall off the tray; and (ii) the lanyard must not be attached to a chain or other device that may tighten around the neck.
Furthermore, the act states that a dog may not be transported in the trunk of a sedan and that such transport crates must be escape resistant and have adequate room for the dog to sit and stand, in addition, if permitted. fixed to a vehicle, so “safely in a location that provides adequate airflow and quality, while minimizing exposure to exhaust gases and dust.”
tasmania
There doesn’t appear to be any specific rules regarding requirements for tying a dog or keeping a dog in a vehicle’s cabin or tray, however it is outlined in the Dog Control Act 2000 Section 16 (3): Owners or the person in charge of the dog must restrain the dog sufficiently when it is in or on the vehicle so that it cannot leave the vehicle or attack any person or animal outside the vehicle. Penalties apply – fines of up to $905 may apply.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant road authority in your state or territory.
