‘Distressed’ dog nearly hung by own lead on back of hot ute

A driver travelling on the Bruce Hwy at Gympie has been left shocked after watching a dog struggle to stay on the back of a ute under soaring temperatures with no more than an esky to stand on. SEE THE VIDEO

A traveller has been left shocked after watching a clearly distressed dog nearly be hung by its lead twice while travelling on the back of a ute on the Bruce Hwy in scorching heat.

The driver, who shared the images on social media giant Twitter, said they followed the white ute along the 11km stretch of road south through Gympie about 10.30am Tuesday.

The dog, restrained by only a leash, was exposed to the sun on a day when temperatures reached a scorching 34 degrees.

Worse though was the clear danger to the dogs health and safety on roads with a speed limit of up to 80km/h.

The dog “almost necked itself twice” while seeking refuge on the tray, he said.

Images shared on Twitter have captured a dog being almost thrown from the back of a ute on the Bruce Hwy near Gympie on a day when temperatures reached 34 degrees.

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The heat of the tray was another problem.

It “looked extremely uncomfortable as he kept moving around”.

“It got to the point where the dog was standing up on top of an esky; however it then fell and half of its body was hanging over”.

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He said he tried to warn the driver “many times however he was not willing to stop”.

“After we got past Gympie and got to the double lanes he sped off as I think he got frightened we might report him,” he said.

“I feel for the dog as it looked quite distressed.”

The person who captured the images said the dog on the back of a ute travelling south on the Bruce Hwy was “distressed” by the heat of the tray and ended up seeking refuge on top of an esky.

Police did not comment directly on the images Wednesday, but provided details about the penalties in place under the Animal Care and Protection Act.

The Act requires drivers to make sure their dog is safe when travelling inside or on the back tray of a vehicle.

According to Transport and Main Roads’ website drivers “must not transport a dog inside a vehicle if any part of the dog, other than its head, can protrude from the vehicle”.

Maximum penalties of $8625 can apply.

Anyone transporting a dog on a vehicle’s tray or trailer must be secured to stop it from falling off the tray, moving off the tray, or being injured be the vehicle’s movement.

TMR’s website advises dogs tethered to the back of utes should have a leash long enough to allow the animal to move comfortably “but not long enough for the dog to reach the side of the ute”.

Extra care should be taken on hot days to help the dog avoid heat stress by covering metal floors and providing cover over the back of the tray.

“It is cruel to transport any animal (including a dog) in an unsuitable container or vehicle, or in a way that is inappropriate for its welfare,” TMR’s advice says.