You and I are likely breaking the law with our pets and cars

If you’re anything like me, you take your four-legged furry best friend with you just about everywhere. Quick errands or long road trips to the vet or dog park, our dogs spend a lot of time with us in our cars. And especially here in New England, we’re crossing state lines all the time.

So I was surprised to learn that here in New England, without Vermont, we actually have laws that affect how we handle our pets. this is according to Orvis News and Pet is that trip who introduced any and all state laws involving distracted driving, proper restraint, convertibles, and anti-pet cruelty laws.

There’s some ambiguity about what exactly this all means, so here’s an easy-to-follow summary of what you need to know if you’re in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine.

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At this time, the unrestricted pet laws only apply to a truck bed. In this case, your dog must be properly and safely restrained when he travels outside of your vehicle.

And, of course, there are animal cruelty laws that law enforcement can look at on a case-by-case basis when it comes to your pet’s safety.