Dogs in the beds of pick up trucks - Any opinions?

[Minimus]

I have never liked to see a dog in the bed of a moving truck, some even balancing on top of tool box. The dogs do seem to enjoy it, but it scares me and I personally could never do it.

Today at work my heart was breaking for this yellow lab in the back of a pick up. Coming back from lunch I parked beside the truck and the dog lifted it's head but laid back down.

About 20 minutes later it started pouring rain. Not sprinkling, pouring. I look out my office window and the truck is still there. I saw the dog pop it's head up as if to say "Hey master, hurry up, I'm getting soaked here". It laid back down.

When I left my office a couple hours later it was still raining and that dog was still in the back of the truck, just laying there, obediently waiting for it's master.

I don't know what business in the office complex the owner of the truck was visiting or what took so long. But you would think when he/she realized it was pouring he could have stepped out to put the dog in the truck cab. I guess the precious truck interior is more important than the animal. :mad:

Just venting and curious how others feel about dogs riding in the back of trucks.

[Stepup2]

1. I have seen dogs

come into the vet clinic where I worked mangled due to sudden stops or maneuvers in traffic. I have also seen a dog who was thrown out of an open rear window in a car.

This is should be a criminal offense IMO. This is horrifying for those who are traveling in cars nearby. :spank:


If you must travel with a pet in an open truck bed put the animal in a secured, study and weather proof crate of some sort.

[meow2u3]

2. Only if the owner installs an pet cage bolted to the bed of the pickup

And then again, if the cage is protected from the elements, i.e., covered on three sides.