Crash tests performed by the non-profit watchdog group, the Center for Pet Safety shows the majority of restraints sold at pet stores failed in their crash tests making them ineffective from a safety perspective for our pets, says Today. With many pet owners taking their pets on the go, experts warn that the restraints you are relying on for your pets safety are not going to save them in case of a wreck.
Of the 29 products tested, 25 failed in one way or another.
"In the event of a crash, they can be a projectile hurting everyone, including themselves," says Dr. Flaura Winston of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
"Keep your pets restrained on every trip," says Winston.
"Pet owners should be screaming about this," says Center for Pet Safety CEO Lindsey Wolko. "If you get into an accident and one of these products fails, it puts you, your family members and it puts other drivers on the road at risk."
"Pet products are not defined as consumer products by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, so they bypass any kind of any oversight or regulation," added Wolko.
The four products that were top performers were Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate with Strength Rated Anchor Straps, The Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed with PPRS Handilock, the Sleepypod Clickit Utility and the PetEgo Jet Set Forma Frame Carrier with ISOFIX-Latch Connection. These are definitely not your typical $25 crates you can pick up at the local big box retailer, but worth the investment for the safety of your furry loved one.
