Dogs Could Soon Be Banned From Sticking Their Heads Out of Cars in Florida

A Chihuahua dog waits inside a Trabant 601 car on August 23, 2014 in Zwickau, Germany. Matthias Rietschel/Getty Images

Florida’s Democratic senate minority leader has introduced a bill that seeks to ban dogs in the state from sticking their heads out of car windows during travel, among other rules on how the animals must be handled in a vehicle.

Senate Bill 932 prohibits a person from allowing a dog “to extend its head or any other body part outside a motor vehicle window while the person is operating the motor vehicle on a public roadway.”

People also won’t be allowed to ride with a dog positioned in front of them while they are operating a motorcycle. Holding a dog on the lap in a position that interferes with a person’s control over the driving mechanism of a motor vehicle would also be prohibited.

The bill (pdf) was introduced by state minority leader Sen. Lauren Book.

Those in violation of the proposed rules would face potential moving violation citations. However, the violation won’t count as a criminal traffic infraction.

SB 932 also proposes the banning of transporting dogs on the running board, fender, hood, or roof of a motor vehicle, as well as in its trunk or an enclosed space intended for cargo.

If a dog is being transported via a motor vehicle on a public roadway, the animal must be “secured in a crate” appropriate for its size, or “restrained safely” using a pet seat belt or harness, or remain under the physical control of a person who is not driving the vehicle. A neck restraint cannot be used to restrict animal mobility.

In case a dog is being transported in the open bed of a pickup truck, the animal must be restrained using a dog crate that prevents it from escaping, offers good footing and protection from weather, is secured to the pickup truck, and offers the dog enough space to move around normally.

The law also prohibits retail pet stores from selling rabbits in the months of March and April. Rabbits must be kept out of public view or in an enclosure indicating that the animals are not for sale until May 1.

Animal advocates have been asking for banning the sale of rabbits during these months due to a trend of people buying the animals as family pets during Easter time and discarding them afterward.

More broadly, the bill outlines the Department of Law Enforcement creating a public registry of convicted animal abusers.

Animal Regulations

Several states have enacted animal laws that some see as excessive regulation.

In Alaska, there is a law prohibiting carrying animals openly in the back of a vehicle. To do so, the space must be enclosed or have walls of at least 46 inches.

Alternatively, the animal must be tethered to the vehicle or caged in a manner ensuring it does not get thrown out or jump from the vehicle.

Montana has restrictions on the sale of rats

“It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, harbor, raise or give away rats as pets, toys, premiums, novelties, or for any other purpose except as feed for reptiles or birds of prey or both, or as hereinafter set forth; or to bring or transport the same into the city,” the law states.

Ohio prohibits the display and sale of baby chickens and rabbits that are dyed in colors. Poultry younger than four weeks cannot be sold in lots of less than six.