momtomany

I live in the Ozarks of Missouri. I see many, many dogs in the back of trucks (and people...adults and kids both!). I can remember riding in the back of a pickup as a kid...it was a real treat. Can't believe we didn't realize just how dangerous it was!!! … Read more

I live in the Ozarks of Missouri. I see many, many dogs in the back of trucks (and people...adults and kids both!). I can remember riding in the back of a pickup as a kid...it was a real treat. Can't believe we didn't realize just how dangerous it was!!! Of course, 40 some odd years ago, there wasn't much traffic around here, but still... I have often mumbled about persons with a dog in the back of their truck, untethered, in the hot sun. The worst are the flat-bed trucks (no sides on them). Not only are the dogs lacking a wall to catch them should they lose their balance, but the beds themselves get very, very hot in the summer! While I've been fortunate to not witness a dog fall/jump out of one, I would hate to. I imagine that would leave a horrible impression in my mind for the rest of my life. It is a safety issue...safety for the dog and safety for the persons who may be in an accident trying to avoid hitting the dog, should it fall out. If the owners can't or won't buy some sort of a tether or crate for them, then they don't deserve to have a dog. And I think they should be charged with animal abuse should one come out of the bed and negligence/threatening the safety of an animal. Read Less