How to Travel with your Pets Safely, And Equestrian Safety NR12051kr

March 14, 2012

What:
News Conference & Product Demonstrations

When:
Thursday, March 15, 2012
10:00 a.m.
5:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Product Demonstration Period with live animals

Where:
Press Conference will be held at the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center
11127 Orcas Avenue
Lake View Terrace, CA 91342

Who:
Council Member, Richard Alarcon, Council District 7
Council Member Mitchell Englander, Council District 12
Captain Ivan Minsal, Commanding Officer, Valley Traffic Division
Police Officer Dave Stambaugh, LAPD K-9 Unit
Animal Control Officer Armando Navarrete, Los Angeles Animal Services
Danielle Maki, Representative from the Auto Club of Southern California
Rene Herrera, Foothill Mounted Patrol
Petco
Pet Smart
 
Why:
In an effort to increase public safety and raise awareness, Valley Traffic Division is holding a “How To Travel With Your Pets Safely and Equestrian Safety Tips,” press conference.” The Los Angeles Police Department, Valley Traffic Division wants to stress the importance of properly securing your pets while you travel on our city streets. Injury or death can occur to the driver, passenger or pet because an unrestrained animal can become a projectile inside the vehicle. An unrestrained animal could strike the driver, passenger or interior of the vehicle during a collision. An unrestrained 80- pound dog will exert approximately 2400 pounds of force in a 30 MPH collision. Unrestrained pets can also distract the driver and cause a collision. If a pet is not restrained and the driver is incapacitated, it could get out of a crashed vehicle and run into traffic.

Properly securing a horse and trailer is also a must. Having a horse trailer disconnect from a vehicle with a 1000 pound horse could have devastating consequences. The loose trailer could collide with other vehicles or pedestrians. In addition, when riding a horse on a City street, the rider must obey the rules of the road, just like the driver of a car. Drivers and pedestrians must use caution when approaching a horse as not to scare the animal upon their approach.  
    
We want to encourage everyone to “Share The Road,” in an effort to improve traffic safety in our communities, and to keep our pets safe.           
               
For additional information, please contact Sgt. Art Gomez at 805-559-9637 or Officer Michael Graham at 661-645-6365.