Ruff ride? Why dogs should buckle up as death rate for fluffy friends in car accidents is high, research finds

Published: 19:05 EDT, 3 October 2026 | Updated: 19:28 EDT, 3 October 2026 It's second nature for anyone getting into a car to put on a seatbelt – and it seems the time has come to make sure your dog buckles up, too.Four decades since it became a legal requirement for drivers and front-seat passengers to wear a seatbelt, academics say man's best friend should have their own bespoke version when riding in a car.It comes as research reveals the death rate for dogs in vehicle accidents is high, with almost 10 per cent of canines involved in the 268 incidents examined dying and 28 per cent being so badly hurt they had to be rushed to a vet.The analysis also found that the smallest breeds, which are more prone to being thrown about, were at the highest risk of death.The Highway Code recommends animals should be 'suitably restrained' to prevent distractions to drivers. But while seatbelts for humans are strictly regulated and tested, those for animals are not. A woman buckles up her dog in a car before setting off on a journeyAs such, academics want further work to be done to create harnesses which keep pets safe. This includes looking at different restraints suitable for varying sizes of dog.Writing in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention, the Colorado State University team said: 'As pets increasingly travel as vehicle occupants, their safety can no longer rely on unregulated products and anecdotal evidence.' They added that to prevent deaths, 'evidence-based' restraints were now needed.