Proposed bill bans Florida dogs from sticking heads out car windows

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida’s favorite pets may no longer get to partake in one of their favorite past times if a bill filed in the legislature is signed into law.

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Bill SB 932 covers many animal welfare topics, from prohibiting cat declawing and rabbit sales before Easter to restricting when an animal may be tethered outside.

The bill also creates a registry of known animal abusers, cracks down on the sale of animals to them and allows the state to ban people convicted of sexual offenses with animals from owning a pet during their probation.

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One section of the bill deals specifically with the transportation of dogs in cars, including forbidding drivers from having a dog in their lap and transporting them on the car’s hood or roof.

But one of the restrictions prohibits drivers from allowing a dog to put any part of its body, including its head, out of a car window.

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“Allowing your dog to stick his head out the window is a very dangerous habit,” Trips with Pets explained in a blog post. “Their eyes are exposed to dirt, rocks, dust and other debris. These materials can easily puncture and scratch your dog’s eyes.”

The post also cited potential damage to a dog’s ears and the possibility a dog could fall out.

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Dogs enjoy poking their noses out the window, even if it’s just slightly cracked, because it allows them to smell the environment better, Science ABC wrote.

“Dogs are adventurous animals, so being able to experience new sights, sounds and smells makes them happy,” the blog post said.

WFTV emailed the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Lauren Book, D-Broward, for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

A companion bill was filed in the House but only deals with animal-related testing in the cosmetics industry.

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