Now that the holidays are approaching, it is important to remember that we cannot take our dog loose in a non-equipped vehicle, in part because of our own safety, but also for the possible sanctions.
What exactly does the law say?
Article 18.1 of the Royal Decree 1428/2003, of November 21, whereby the General Traffic Regulations approved the implementation and development of the articulated text of the Law on traffic, motor vehicle traffic and road safety (BOE n. 306, from 23-12-03) and approved by the Royal Legislative Decree 339/1990, of March 2 in article 11.2, establishes that “The driver of a vehicle is obligated to maintain their freedom of movement, the necessary field of vision and permanent attention to driving, in order to ensure their own safety, that of the rest of the vehicle’s occupants and the other users of the road. For this purpose, they must take special care to maintain the proper position and that of the rest of the passengers, as well as the proper placement of objects or animals being transported so that there is no interference between them and the driver..
Also Article 11.2 of Royal Decree 1428/2003 about Public passenger transport textually states:
2. In vehicles intended for the public service of public passenger transport, the travellers are prohibited from:
a) Distracting the driver while operating the vehicle.
b) Entering or exiting the vehicle from locations other than those intended, respectively, for these purposes.
c) Entering the vehicle when the warning has been made that it is full.
d) Unnecessarily hindering the passage in places intended for the movement of people.
e)Carrying any animal, except for if there is a place in the vehicle intended for its transport. Exceptions to this rule, always under their responsibility, are the visually impaired accompanied by dogs, specially trained as seeing-eye.
f) Carrying dangerous materials or objects in conditions other than those established by the specific regulations on the issue.
g) Disregarding the instructions about the service that the driver or person in charge of the vehicle give."
It is worth noting that driving a vehicle without caring for the proper placement of the animal being transported to ensure that it does not interfere with the driving (appropriate enclosures or separate from that used by passengers), is punishable by a 60 euro fine and does not entail a loss of license points.
Happy travels!
