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Pet Passion
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Summer safety for your pets
Monday, 19 January 2009
Accidents involving animals on farms are very common - and if the animal in question is a beloved pet, it is always worse. Just as hard is finding yourself in the position of being the being the driver rather than the owner in these incidents.
Rural life can actually present more hazards for pets than in town for a variety of reasons:
• the number of animals in rural situations
• the number and type of vehicles driving near a property
• it can be easy to forget your speed in the country - even on a driveway.
Older cats are often more at risk than other pets as they can’t get out of the way quickly enough and have a tendency to snooze near warm engines. Kittens can be hard to spot and like children can manage to find their way into the very spots you don’t want them in - like small spaces under the bonnet.
Dogs, especially playful pups and old slow dogs also dogs that chase cars and try to bite the wheel. Poultry especially chicks and ducklings. Lambs and piglets that get through the fence onto the road.
What can you do?
Paying attention to your speed and the road will help avoid animal road accidents, but if an animals suddenly darts across the road in front of you, chances are you will be helpless to avoid a mishap.
Avoiding accidents in your driveway is easier, with some clear steps to follow. If you have a long driveway or a lot of pets you can put up signs in several places and facing both ways saying “Slow” or “Slow - Kids - Pets”.
Closing your gate - or installing one if you don’t have one - means people have to stop and are more likelty to go slower down the driveway. Keep kittens and puppies well away from the yards and farm roads and train them to come or to stay when you command them to. That way if you see a visitor arrive you can manage your pets behaviour.
If your dog has devleoped a habit of chasing tyres, ensure he tied up or kenneled when he’s not with you. You could also talk to a vet or behaviour expert, or investigate electronic collars as a possible solution.
Dogs on trucks
Farm dogs are often transported on the deck of tfarm vehicles. Injuries incurred can be terrible if they fall or are knocked off.
Accidents happen when:
• the lead is long enough to allow their hind legs to slip over the edge - the lead should only be long enough to llow the dog to stand and lie down and move about;
• the deck becomes slippery in rain.
• the dog on the truck is provoked by other dogs.
• the dog on the truck becomes cold and tired on a long journey
• avoid long journeys with a dog on the open unsheltered deck
A little commonsense goes a long way to ensuring your favourite foor footed companion is as safe on the driveway as he is in your lap.
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