Dog jumps on accelerator causing car to crash into liquor store

Woodbury, Minnesota - A dog jumping inside of a running vehicle created quite a mess at the Woodbury Liquor Store on Tuesday afternoon. According to driver, Dick Coerber, his dog, a Dachshund, jumped from his wife's lap, onto the car's accelerator, while he was attempting to park his car.

The result? The car crashed through the front window of the liquor store, causing significant damage. Thankfully nobody was injured in the crash (Source: KSTP ABCNews5)

Dog owners should be aware that an unrestrained dog inside of a vehicle can be dangerous. The safest place for a dog is either confined in a crate, or restrained in a seat-belt harness specially designed for dogs.

Yesterday's incident is an example of what can happen when a dog leaps unexpectedly while the car is in motion. Unrestrained dogs can create distractions to the driver, or as seen in this situation, they can literally be the direct cause of an accident. 

Another important consideration is what may happen in the event of an accident if a dog is not restrained.

A dog can literally become a projectile during an accident. Not only can the dog be hurt himself, but he can severely injure passengers within the vehicle when the brakes are slammed, or if the car is hit by another vehicle.

A sobering statistic to keep in mind: “In an auto accident a 60 pound dog in a car traveling 30 mph will hit an object ten inches in front of her/him at 1,200 pounds psi”.

If you enjoy having your dog closer to you than a crate allows, you may want to consider the Ruff Rider Canine vehicle restraint system. The harness-like device connects to your own seat belt system, allowing your dog to ride comfortably and safely inside of the vehicle.

Whatever restraint system you choose, it is important to remember that unrestrained dogs inside of vehicles have the potential to create a driving hazard. Consider the safety of yourself, your passengers, and your dog companion the next time that you get in the car.

Please remember, if you are traveling with your dog on a warm day, do not leave him unattended in the car if you stop to run errands. Cracked windows are not sufficient to keep your dog safe from interior car temperatures which can become dangerous in a short period of time.

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