What Are the Rules for Driving with a Pet in the Car in Ontario?
Ontario has no specific law prohibiting pets in vehicles, but you can be charged with distracted driving or careless driving if your pet interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle. There is no requirement to restrain pets, but doing so is strongly recommended for safety and to avoid charges.
Key Facts
- Use a crash-tested pet harness designed for use with a seat belt
- Use a secured crate or carrier in the rear cargo area
- Use a pet barrier to keep dogs in the back seat or cargo area
- Never allow a pet to ride with its head out the window on the highway
- Never leave a pet unattended in a hot vehicle (can lead to cruelty charges)
In this article
No Specific Pet Law, But Other Laws Apply
Ontario does not have a specific statute that prohibits pets in vehicles or that requires them to be restrained. However, two broader laws can apply if a pet causes a driving hazard: distracted driving and careless driving. If your dog is sitting on your lap, jumping around, or otherwise interfering with your ability to drive safely, an officer can charge you under either of these provisions.
Distracted Driving and Pets
Distracted driving in Ontario is defined as anything that takes your attention from the road. While distracted driving charges are most commonly associated with hand-held devices, police can apply the law to any distraction, including a pet on your lap or in your arms. A charge of distracted driving carries a fine of $615 to $1,000 plus demerit points for a first offence.
Careless Driving and Pets
Careless driving is a broader charge: driving without due care and attention. A pet that blocks the driver's view, interferes with steering or braking, or causes a collision can support a careless driving charge. Careless driving carries a $400 to $2,000 fine, 6 demerit points, and up to 6 months in jail in serious cases. This is significantly more serious than a distracted driving ticket.
Best Practices for Transporting Pets
Although not legally required, restraining pets is strongly recommended for both safety and legal protection.
- Use a crash-tested pet harness designed for use with a seat belt
- Use a secured crate or carrier in the rear cargo area
- Use a pet barrier to keep dogs in the back seat or cargo area
- Never allow a pet to ride with its head out the window on the highway
- Never leave a pet unattended in a hot vehicle (can lead to cruelty charges)
Animal Cruelty Laws
Leaving a pet in a hot vehicle, even briefly, can result in charges under Ontario's animal cruelty laws. Ontario has some of the strongest animal protection legislation in Canada. Police and animal control officers are authorized to break into a vehicle to rescue an animal that appears to be in distress. The driver can face a fine of up to $60,000 and up to 2 years in jail for cruelty to animals.
Related Questions
What Is the Fine for Distracted Driving in Ontario?
In Ontario, a first distracted driving offence carries a fine of $615 to $1,000, 3 demerit points, and a 3-day licence suspension. A second offence brings a $615 to $2,000 fine, 6 demerit points, and a 7-day suspension. A third or subsequent offence results in a $615 to $3,000 fine, 6 demerit points, and a 30-day suspension.
Read answerWhat Is Careless Driving in Ontario?
Careless driving in Ontario is a catch-all offence under the Highway Traffic Act for driving without due care and attention. The fine ranges from $400 to $2,000 and carries six demerit points. If careless driving causes bodily harm, it can result in jail time of up to two years.
Read answerCan You Eat While Driving in Ontario?
Eating while driving is not explicitly illegal in Ontario. However, if eating causes you to drive unsafely, you can be charged with careless driving under section 130 of the Highway Traffic Act. Ontario's distracted driving laws specifically target handheld electronic devices, not food. The best practice is to avoid eating while driving.
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