A dog died in the trunk. How to transport a pet in a car?

On Sunday afternoon, August 3rd, at approximately 12:30 PM, emergency services were alerted to a serious accident on the road between Oborniki Śląskie and Rościsławice. Police, firefighters, and emergency medical services were immediately dispatched to the scene. We recently reported on this accident. Now we return to this case and discuss the risks of transporting a dog unsecured in a car.

According to police findings, the 38-year-old driver of a Skoda Octavia, a resident of the Wołów district, lost control of the vehicle, most likely due to excessive speed. The car veered into the opposite lane and collided violently with a Nissan Qashqai, which was traveling in the right direction. The Nissan was occupied by a 70-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman, both residents of the Wrocław district.

All participants in the incident were injured and transported to hospital. The elderly couple suffered bruises. The Skoda driver's injuries were more serious. Furthermore, officers determined that his car was not roadworthy. The registration certificate had been confiscated earlier. Both drivers were sober and had valid driving licenses.

However, another, less visible aspect of this accident deserves special attention. A dog was found in the trunk of the Skoda, but it did not survive the collision. The animal likely died from the force of the impact, which crushed the rear of the vehicle. Its body was recovered by one of the injured person's employees.

In this case, the dog, which died instantly, not only tragically died but could also have posed a lethal threat to the vehicle's occupants if transported without proper restraint. An unsecured animal becomes an uncontrolled projectile upon impact, the mass and force of which can be fatal to humans. At high speed, even a dog weighing several kilograms can exert a force comparable to several hundred kilograms, striking seats, occupants, and other vehicle interior components.

Investigators are examining the details of the incident, but many indications are that the dog did not directly contribute to the driver's injuries. Nevertheless, transporting a dog in such a location – even if formally permissible – is difficult to consider comfortable or completely safe for the animal. This situation should emphasize the importance of securing transported animals while driving.

"Polish law generally doesn't specify that a dog must be transported in any specific way, such as by being strapped in a seat belt or placed in the trunk. The most important thing is that it doesn't pose a threat to the safety of the driver or passengers," said Deputy Inspector Daria Szydłowska from the District Police Headquarters in Trzebnica when we asked her about transporting a dog in a car.

The law requires securing the dog from shifting or moving. This is not only about potential injury to passengers and the dog. Walking around inside the vehicle can distract the driver, which negatively impacts safety. The police officer told us that if the police stop the driver for a check and determine that the dog is a safety hazard, they will be guided by Article 60 of the Road Traffic Act, which refers to using the vehicle in a manner that endangers the safety of those inside or outside. In conjunction with Article 97 of the Traffic Offenses Code, they can impose a fine ranging from 20 to 500 PLN. In extreme cases, this can be considered animal cruelty, which carries a penalty of up to two years in prison under the Animal Protection Act.

For this reason, and for the dog's safety, it should be transported in a suitable seat or crate. It should not be held on your lap or allowed to rest on the floor or seat without protection.

An investigative team and a forensic technician were working at the scene. Evidence was secured, measurements were taken, and photographic documentation was taken. Police are continuing their investigation. The circumstances and causes of the incident are being determined.