Legislation to Bar Dogs behind the Wheel

A state legislator says dogs riding in the front seat of vehicles are dangerous, and he’s proposed a law to break the habit.

Representative Jim Cobb of Spring City wants a new traffic rule to keep Fido away from the wheel – or at least out of the driver’s lap.

Cobb’s bill started out by requiring pets to be leashed, belted in, caged or otherwise confined when riding in vehicles. But he eventually stripped the proposal down to the basics with an amendment.

“The bill simply reads, no person shall operate a motor vehicle with an animal in the front, driver’s seat.”

Cobb says with that change, compliance should be simple.

Some legislators are jokingly calling the measure, the “Marmaduke” bill.

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The bill is HB 212 Cobb/SB 621 Campfield.

How often would this come up? Legislative staff says there might be 100 citations a year.