The Center for Pet Safety would not disclose which harnesses they tested out of fear even fewer people will secure their pets. Wolko said that, while some manufactures do claim to do their own testing, there is no government standard, which creates unregulated industry that can be dangerous for drivers. Veterinarian Kim Haddad has seen what can happen to a pet in a car accident. “Broken legs, broken jaws, soft tissue injury, it can be pretty traumatic,” said Dr. Haddad.
But while injuries are much worse when drivers let their dogs roam free inside a vehicle, simply using a harness often isn’t enough. In some cases, they can be just as deadly. “Something is better than nothing, but again, it is only going to be as good as the manufacturer, the fit and the user application of the product,” said Haddad. According to the American Automobile Association, 20-percent of dog owners admit to allowing their pets to ride unrestrained inside their vehicle.
While having your dog in your lap as you drive violates distracted driving laws, no state currently requires drivers to buckle up their pets. Some states have proposed bills that could require harnesses, but CPS worries such laws would create a false sense of security as owners assume if a product is legislated, it meets some kind of safety standard. CPS is now calling for standardized testing similar to child safety seats and for lawmakers to educate themselves on safety standards before legislating the restraints.
There's a news video here and four videos demonstrating various harnesses, using a crash-test dog, at the bottom of this page.
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