Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
DEDHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Dedham Animal Control began advising residents about a less obvious form of distracted driving that’s been on the rise as of late.
In late April, their animal control officer posted to Facebook, saying she spotted 7 different drivers with dogs on their laps in a single day.
“In Massachusetts, the primary law for which police can cite for distracted driving- if it's not related to a cell phone, which has its own penalties- is the general distracted driving law,” the post said. “While a dog sitting on an operator’s lap may not be noted on this list, this activity can be considered a distraction.”
Dedham Animal Control Officer Deni Goldman said she witnessed this phenomenon firsthand.
“It was just shocking because every time I turned around, there was a dog hanging out of a window on a driver’s lap,” Goldman said. “It’s become something I’ve seen more and more.”
Read More: Historic Granite Home In Quincy Set To Be Moved
She also mentioned that this wasn’t just occurring with small pups but with full-size dogs as well.
“I saw a Labrador, like a full-grown yellow lab, on someone’s lap, draped across them with their chin on the open window,” Goldman said.
Goldman said the police could absolutely ticket you for driving with a dog on your lap, even though it is a less obvious violation of the law.
“A dog, obviously being a distraction, would fall under that category,” Goldman said. “It’s very concerning because they’re certainly a distraction, a lot of them will lunge out the window if they see another dog.”
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.