A puppy miraculously survived a severe collision after her owner’s car was rear-ended, thanks to being secured in a special doggy seatbelt.
Chloe Arbuckle, who had wisely buckled her cockapoo, Daisy, into a harness, believes it saved the pup from being flung through the windshield.
Chloe shared her harrowing experience to raise awareness about pet safety during car travel.
READ MORE: ‘World’s rarest whale’ washes up on beach
She recounted how she was waiting to merge onto a roundabout when another vehicle slammed into her car from behind.
The impact propelled Chloe forward, but one-year-old Daisy remained safely restrained in her harness, as reported by Need To Know.
Chloe, an advocate for Vets Now’s summer campaign promoting safe travel with pets, emphasizes the crucial role the harness played in protecting Daisy.
Reflecting on the incident, Chloe, who hails from Glasgow, said, “I can’t stress enough the importance of having Daisy in her harness. We were on our way to a favorite dog play area when the crash occurred, launching my car forward and leaving the other vehicle embedded in my rear bumper.
It was terrifying how quickly a routine trip turned into a nightmare. My first instinct was to check on Daisy in the back seat. She looked confused and scared, so I tried to comfort her.”
When Chloe exited the car to speak with the other driver, Daisy started barking in distress, understandably shaken by the ordeal. Fortunately, Daisy appeared physically unharmed, thanks to the harness.
Despite significant damage to the car’s rear, Chloe managed to drive home after exchanging details with the other driver.
Concerned for Daisy’s well-being, Chloe took her to the Vets Now Glasgow clinic, where the pup was diagnosed with shock.
“Daisy wasn’t herself, and I was still shaken, so my sister Kayleigh and I took her to the clinic. The staff were fantastic, thoroughly examining Daisy and confirming she hadn’t sustained any injuries, just shock.
For days after, Daisy was very clingy and tired, but she gradually returned to her playful self, albeit a bit more nervous in the car.”
Chloe stressed the importance of securing pets in vehicles, saying, “It’s easy to think a dog looks cute jumping around a car or sticking its head out of the window, but our experience shows how vital proper restraint is.
Just as you wouldn’t let a child ride without a harness, the same goes for dogs. Daisy is family, and I couldn’t bear it if something happened to her.”
Dave Leicester, Head of Telehealth at Vets Now, echoed Chloe’s sentiments, emphasizing the responsibility of drivers to ensure the safety of all passengers, including pets.
“In a crash, an unsecured pet can be seriously injured or cause injury to others.
The Highway Code requires motorists to properly restrain pets to prevent distractions and injuries during sudden stops.
Whether using a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage, or dog guard, securing pets is essential. Following Chloe’s example can truly be lifesaving.”
READ MORE: Dog missing for a week rescued from cliff after surviving ‘only on rainwater’
