The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is stressing the importance of making sure that all pets are secured in vehicles while travelling this summer.

The RNC recently teamed up with the City of St. John’s to stress the importance of pet safety in vehicles this summer.

RNC Constable James Cadigan explains that while pets are not specifically mentioned in the Highway Traffic Act, they do fall under different categories of obstruction, due care and attention.

For example, he says if a dog is found to be on a driver’s lap while driving that would be considered obstruction and the driver could be pulled over and given a ticket.

Further to that, Cadigan says it is the driver’s responsibility as a pet owner to have the necessary equipment to secure a pet.

He says not only is it a driving issue for the person behind the wheel, but it’s a safety issue for the animal as well.

He says if a collision happens, that pet will become a projectile, which could result in the pet and others in the car getting injured.