NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee drivers may soon have to start strapping their pets into a seatbelt with driving.
Under a bill sponsored by Rep. Jim Cobb, dogs or other animals must be restrained while in the interior of a motor vehicle in motion.
According to the Spring City Republican, not only can it be distracting for drivers to have a pet roaming around a vehicle, it could be potentially dangerous for them.
Jessie Medina is the general manager at the PETCO store in Bellevue and told Nashville's News 2 there are already plenty of products available.
"Pet parents underestimate the fact that these harnesses are going to save their dogs life," he explained. "It's no different then their child or an adult who gets into an accident."
Medina said while it can be very tempting to let your pet roam free, he reiterated how dangerous it can be.
"They really need to have that dog in the seat strapped down," he said. "It's an accident waiting to happen in most cases."
The bill is up for discussion in the transportation committee on Tuesday.
