Proposal could put seat belts on dogs

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | 7-6-2005 | Allison Knezevich

[Cagey]

Where Fido finds a breath of fresh air, Marc McCann, 11, sees a road hazard. The Green Tree boy helped a state lawmaker craft a proposal that would make it illegal for dogs and other pets to stick their heads out the car window, which McCann says is a danger to animals and a distraction to drivers.

McCann's idea now has a shot at becoming law, thanks to a contest called "There Ought to Be a Law," sponsored annually by Rep. Tom Stevenson, R-Mt. Lebanon.

"I never did like dogs sticking their heads out the window," said McCann, who will be a sixth-grader this fall at Keystone Oaks Middle School. "Maybe a sign might have been too close to the road and they'd get hit. Maybe they'd jump out the window on a highway."

The bill, submitted to the Transportation Committee in June, would make it illegal for drivers to let their pets stick their heads or other body parts out the window. It also would require pets to be restrained by methods that could include a pet seat-belt system, or a crate or carrier box.

McCann said he was inspired simply by his love of animals.

"My cousin calls me Dr. Doolittle," said McCann, whose favorite dog breed is the Yorkshire.

Stevenson visited McCann's fifth-grade Aiken Elementary School class to teach them about the legislative process and invite them to enter his contest, now in its ninth year.

More than 500 students from Stevenson's district entered their ideas, and five district magistrates pored over the submissions to pick the winner, the legislator said.

When he won, McCann and his family were invited to Harrisburg to tour the Capitol and met with House Speaker John M. Perzel.

"It was wonderful," said McCann's mother, Sandy McCann. "We were very excited."

[TheForceOfOne]

There was some kid in Maryland not to long ago telling a politician his mommy knew that they should charge drivers a per the mile tax to use Maryland roads, of course when the politician heard the word tax she was all over it.

The idea didn't get far and she caught a lot of heat for suggesting it but the fact she did run with it is disturbing.

[AnAmericanMother]

I had heard that before, actually - don't remember from who.

And you're right, most of us would be happy if Fido sniffed around a little bit less . . . although when Shell gets too old for agility we're probably going to go in for tracking, and I think she'll need all her nose for that!

[1Old Pro]

oops, misspelled, should be "Helmutts"

[TET1968]

I would feel safer if the athorities would open a full lifestime file on "Mark"...keeping track on him as long as he lives. Little Nazi.

[righttackle44]

I thought this a genetic engineering story. About how one would grow a seat belt ON a-- Well, you see how a daysleeper like me could make this mistake, don't you?

[bfree]

Little fascists should not be humored or listened to.

[Dead Corpse]

Anyone with their gears meshed right should be upset. Last thing we need is MORE government. More government has never madea problem go away.

I wear my seatbelt every time as it is sometimes the only thing keeping me in my seat during high speed maneuvers. Let those too stupid to do so Darwin themselves out...

[Americanexpat]

Hey Joe, why does that dog have that WTF look?

[Joe 6-pack]

"Hey Joe, why does that dog have that WTF look?"

He was just told he can't lean outside when riding....

[tob2]

it's like trying to empty the ocean with a slotted spoon. rofl!

[RepoGirl]

Oh, this kind of crapola drives me nuts. Let's hear it for the ever-increasing nanny state.

I always restrain my pets when I transport them--especially the cats (since the little helmet-heads like to wander, and all I'd need is for one to start exploring my feet on the pedals...). I always keep my rott crated when I take her in the car. I just think its safer.

However, I made the choice to restrain my pets without some politician telling me to do so. I resent some half-witted do-gooder telling me (or someone else) what to do, even if the intention is good.

Arrrrgggghhh...

[Northern Alliance]

contest called "There Ought to Be a Law," sponsored annually by Rep. Tom Stevenson, R-Mt. Lebanon.

How about a "Stupid Laws That Should Be Repealed" contest? Much, much easier to come with submissions!

[Bellflower]

Wrap up in bubble wrap next time you get out of bed. No telling what kind of hazzards await you out there.......

Make sure it is air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter. Make it flexible and comfortable and then you might have something that you can market (not that I would buy it but there are lots of worried people out there).

[Bellflower]

It does make me a bit nervous when I see a dog with 3/4 of it's body out of a window. My Silas loves to put his head out of the window. We only have the window part of the way down. He knows the that the rules are that when we start going a little faster the 35 he has to pull in his head in except the end of his black nose. If he forgets I say "Silas head in except the end of your black nose" and he pull his head in except the end of his black nose. Life is about joy not just "hypersaftytivity". Some people are so worried about getting hurt they don't know how to enjoy themselves. There isn't much happier sight than a happy dog with it's head out the car window.

[brazzaville]

Good evening.
"And Marc's heart might be in the right place..."

Heart has nothing to do with this. This child is hoping to force his will on everyone else and some fool Republican is trying to help him.

Michael Frazier

[Xenalyte]

"My cousin calls me Dr. Doolittle," said McCann, whose favorite dog breed is the Yorkshire.

His favorite breed is Yorkies? He might as well put on a can-can outfit and start singing show tunes now.

[Xenalyte]

Yep. I do it every time the Dread Boston Salty takes a ride with me.

The way I see it, better a mildly peeved alive dog than a dog with a broken neck.

[Xenalyte]

Get a Tahoe or similar. The "sports" and "utility" are now completely superfluous.

[Xenalyte]

You get a real dog, that's what. ;)

[cynicom]

After such dire warnings, my cowardly pooch will not come out of his coop.