>
Tradie is under fire for his ‘disgusting and illegal act’ on his pets as calls mount to ban dogs from traveling in ute trays across the country.
- The driver was seen at an intersection northwest of Perth, Western Australia.
- Two dogs were tied up in the ute’s metal tray when temperatures topped 35C.
- Dogs are prohibited from traveling in ute trays unless properly and safely secured.
An Australian driver has come under fire after his two dogs were photographed riding in the open metal tray of his ute without the correct restraints or shelter.
The driver was seen at the intersection of West Coast Highway and Kirrinyup Road in Trigg, north-west Perth, with the two dogs on a leash in the back.
The image was shared on Reddit on Sunday and shows the dogs sitting in the metal tray without shelter as temperatures in Perth topped 35°C.
“Illegal or not, this is disgusting,” the user wrote.
The two dogs, believed to be a brown Mastiff and a blue sheepdog pup, were tied to the ute tray on a leash.
The driver was seen at a north-west Perth intersection with his two dogs tied to the back of the van in the open metal tray as temperatures topped 35C (pictured)
The image garnered more than 250 comments, with many Australians agreeing that the act was “cruel and dangerous” as the metal tray would be too hot for the dogs.
“It is highly illegal to expect the owner to be fined and never see the dogs again,” wrote one user.
The steel tray would be too hot for these dogs. The poor dogs are going to burn their legs and burnt bodies if they lie down,” another person commented.
“The mastiffs feel the heat, this is as cruel as it is dangerous,” intervened a third party.
‘It violates the welfare of dogs… the dog leash on the left would allow the dog to fall off the tray and [there’s] no slip resistant surface on ute tray’, wrote a fourth.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1986 prohibits a person from transporting a dog in a tray or trailer unless the dog is secured in such a way as to prevent it from falling or getting hurt.
In Western Australia, dogs must be properly secured by a locked transport crate attached to the vehicle or on a suitable leash.
Drivers are prohibited from transporting dogs in or on a tray unless the dog is secured in such a way as to prevent it from falling and provided with a non-slip insulating mat when in direct contact with the metal surface of the tray (pictured )
The Western Australian Standards for Health and Welfare 2020 Guidelines state that the length of a leash must allow the dog to stand and lie down, but not jump or fall off the tray, and must not be a chain suffocating or squeezing around the neck.
The guideline also states that dogs must be provided adequate shelter during extreme weather conditions and a non-slip surface and insulating mat when in direct contact with metal surfaces while riding in the open rear of a moving vehicle.
It comes after Dash Cam Owners Australia refused to release a video showing a dog jumping or falling from the tray of a small truck before being hit by another car.
The Western Australia Standards for Health and Welfare 2020 Guidelines state that dogs may also be adequately secured by a locked transport crate affixed to the vehicle (pictured)
Dash Cam Owners Australia shared the heartbreaking post on Facebook on Sunday urging others to check their pets are safe when traveling.
‘We will not post the video as it is too graphic. But take the description as a reminder to protect your pets when you travel,” Dash Cam Owners Australia wrote.
The dog jumps or falls from the bed of a small truck and is struck by an oncoming vehicle. Unfortunately, the dog did not survive.
“It was absolutely heartbreaking to witness and highlights the importance of making sure any animals are leashed so they don’t stick out the window or tray of the vehicle.”
“The dog’s owner (driver of the small truck) immediately turned around and walked directly back to the scene, understandably, he was very distraught and emotional.”