For so many Villagers, as well as those folks that live in other golf cart communities close by, taking a drive with their pet(s) in the golf cart is a pleasurable outing where owner and furry friend can enjoy the outdoors, maybe listen to some music in the squares, or even enjoy a coffee at a local hang out while visiting with friends and their dogs. Companionship with one’s pet is so precious, and the ability to share so easily with them the lifestyle is one of the joys of living in The Villages.
Meet my friends Beth and Don Gott, and their darling canines Sparkie and Bella, who live in our lovely Village of Haciendas of Mission Hills. Beth and Don are thoughtful and loving pet owners, as well as wonderful and responsible people. They walk their dogs daily, clean up after them, arrange in home care for when they go away, and attend to the beauty and medical needs of Sparkie and Bella.
Since they were puppies, Beth and Don’s dogs have been golf cart co-pilots. Bella sits between them on the golf cart seat, and Sparkie, who is bigger, sits on the passenger floor. Beth puts her leg across to block access to the exit side so Sparkie cannot get out while Don drives. The dogs are well behaved but do get excited when they see other dogs being walked, and often will bark to say hello to their fellow canines passing by.
Last week, on their daily 8 pm golf ride, usually around the neighborhood and occasionally through Lake Sumter Square, they were riding not far from their villa with the dogs when someone was walking toward the direction of the cart with their dog. Sparkie got more enthusiastic than usual and even with Beth blocking the exit, he snuck under her leg and jumped out of the cart while Beth was holding on to the leash. Dogs were barking and Beth was telling Don to stop but he could not hear her over the barking. Beth could not hold on to the leash any longer after Sparkie jumped, and they felt a bump. The golf cart had run over Sparkie but they did not know how bad it was or where he had been crushed.
One thousand dollars later, Sparkie had a drain in his leg, which has been taken down to the tendon area. He is presently on the mend, drain has been removed and stiches are still in. Beth and Don are now reflecting on how to keep this from every happening again, but still hoping that their dogs can enjoy their golf cart rides.
I consulted with Dr. Marc Eisenson from Country Oaks Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Eisenson was adamant on one point-without restraints, there is no good golf cart safety for pets. He has seen broken legs, arms, concussions in the vet clinic. He said if you can put screens or side doors on your golf cart, or afford a specialty golf cart, then this is going to be very helpful in cutting risk. However you still run risks.
As much as Dr. Eisenson tries to educate owners about the potential impact, most people will say they will try and be more diligent, they will go slower, watch the bumps on the paths more carefully. However, without safety seat belts and leash’s snapped to an attachment hook in the car, it is no different than having a child in a golf cart or car without the benefit of a seat belt.
I also had an opportunity to talk to a new vet at Buffalo Ridge Vet Clinic, Dr. Kevin Garrison, who had taken the time to speak with his colleagues before calling me back. He said that the emergency clinic regularly receives visits from pet owners whose dogs have fallen off the carts, been run over, and also who had the dog wearing their leash in the cart when the leash falls down and gets wrapped around the tire axle. Not pretty. His suggestion was to get an automobile seat belt and adapt it for your golf cart. Dr. Garrison said people think they have their dog under control in the cart…until they do not.
What about people driving with their dog on their lap? Or driving while holding a leash and having their dog running alongside them on the hot pavement-the dog could see a bird or something that distracts them and pull so hard that it causes the driver to swerve into a person, cart or car. The dog can have its paws burnt from the asphalt. It is very dangerous. The same caution for people putting their dogs in a basket or allowing them to hang part way out of the cart, anything unpredictable could happen even if it has not before. Seeing another dog in another car or cart could create an excitable moment and then everything happens at once without any ill intent on the part of the golf cart driver.
There are big dogs and little dogs riding in golf carts, sometimes even two little dogs in the back basket of the cart. The big dogs, such as the ones we have, an English and Gordon Setter, would have a huge impact if they were thrown out or even jumped over the lap of the driver because they were excited about something. Eighty pounds of dog on impact could kill the driver or a person who is walking along the side of the road-a dog unharnessed is like a weapon, not in the vicious sense but in the potential to cause innocent injury.
Scott Wilder, Battalion Chief or Safety and Community Watch, suggested watching the golf cart safety video that was recently highlighted at the AGM of the Villages Homeowners Association. There is a small part in the video on pet safety but the video in its entirety is well worth the watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3pIKd-wMDY&feature=youtu.be
Chief Wilder shared that there are 50,000 golf carts in The Villages, and 80% of all resident trips are taken in golf carts. Now think about how many people have one and two dogs that they take on golf cart outings, with no restraints, and the potential for disasters are endless, as are the realities that the veterinary clinics see when there are accidents.
The Marion Market has a vendor which sells various types of restraints for dogs in golf carts. It is worth a trip to check out her merchandise. The Villages Golf Cars Store does not sell any pet restraints, but do offer seat belts for people, which is a part of your own golf cart safety.
Here are some items I found that may help you keep your pet safe:
http://www.dog-car-seats.com/lookout-golf.htm or http://www.pets2bed.com/site/1405195/product/SPP-12 and http://www.amazon.com/Canine-Vehicle-Restraint-System-25-29-5/dp/B0009SQEQC
We pet owners love our dogs. The enjoyment of having them with us is hard for non-pet owners to sometimes understand. However, common sense must prevail and if you truly love your pet, find a solution to ensure their safety, your safety and that of others as you enjoy your golf cart cruising.
For questions or comments, please contact Jane Bloom, The Other Daughter, 425-299-6020 or email janeinthevillages@gmail.com or www.theotherdaughter.org
