We’ve all seen them, the poor pup who has been forced to ride in the back of the pickup truck with nothing to protect him from the elements, or worse, a crash. In 2013, the American Humane Association (AHA) reported that over 100,000 dogs die every year from riding unrestrained in the back of pickup trucks . Dogs jump out of pickups into on-coming traffic or tumble out of the pickup bed during a sudden stop.

Some states like Connecticut, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Rhode Island, have laws on the books that require pets to be secured when they travel in the back of a pickup. Other states, like Louisiana have vetoed legislative efforts to secure pets traveling in open pickup trucks. Securing your pet isn’t just for the benefit of the pet, but also for the safety of other drivers on the road. It is best to check with your state’s legislative office to understand the rules of the road when it comes to pet travel.

While it is preferred to secure your pet safely inside of the vehicle, if you must travel with your dog in the back of the pickup, look to Gunner Kennels to lead the way in safety. Their G1 Intermediate with strength-rated anchor straps was designed with the hunting dog in mind and safely secures in the back of a pickup truck to protect your pup. It was named a Center for Pet Safety Top Performer in 2015.

Our helper, Blossom, shows us how not to ride in the back of this parked Chevrolet Silverado.

(Note: AHA did not respond to multiple inquiries to substantiate the above-mentioned statistic.)