The weather is changing and we are seeing more activities outside. That includes dogs and cats spending more time outside. Who wouldn’t want to be outside after the cold and dark days of winter. The green grass and leaves on the trees are a sure sign of turning the corner towards spring.
The danger I want to discuss today is animals Hit by Car (HBC). Dogs are the most common domestic animal hit nationwide. Male intact dogs are 80% of the victims. In Iowa we have lots of deer stuck by vehicles but that is a whole different discussion. I know the deer far out number dogs in Iowa. Close to 1.2 million dogs are killed each year by vehicles. This is a statistic we can change by considering a few important details.
- Spay and neuter your pets. A majority of the HBC dogs are intact. The estrus cycle of female dogs occurs about 2 times a year. The cycle seems to correlate with the days getting longer and the days getting shorter. In other words, during the spring and fall. When a female dog starts her cycle with swelling and bleeding, every time she goes outside to pee her pheromones are carried with the wind for miles. This creates all sorts of trouble for the intact males. A female has a higher incidence of leaving property during her heat cycle since the need to breed is instinctive.
- Proper restraint is important, so your dog cannot get free during these breeding seasons. I have seen many dogs break out of kennels, backyards, or leashes related to the desire to find a suitor. People who own intact dogs talk about how miserable they are during these seasons. Some dogs are vocal. Some dogs will not eat. Some dogs are hyperactive. Many people have called asking what they should do not realizing these behaviors are triggered by hormones.
- Proper training is crucial if you intend to keep your dog intact. The ability of an owner to use voice commands to get their dog to come when called and stay is important. The importance of knowing that your dog will not get aggressive with other dogs because they respect you and your commands. Dog to dog fights happen often with intact dogs.
- Good communication amongst all members of the household. During the season it is important that everyone knows the safety guidelines to prevent your pet from getting out of your home or yard. The most common time for dogs to get out the door is when others come to your home. Once they are on the run, they lose all ability to focus and can quickly get into harm’s way of vehicles. This can occur at any time during the year not just during the breeding season.
- Caution when lowering windows for dogs to look out of. Many times, dogs have escaped from moving cars because they have lowered windows accidentally or owners have given too much space and they have jumped out. Certainly, a way to end up with a HBC pet. Harnesses strapped into vehicles or carriers are a safer way to travel in a vehicle with pets.
- Always have your dog identified with a microchip so when HBC and brought into a clinic the owner can be reached to discuss the situation and point of care. Dogs can run long distances and it makes finding owners next to impossible. If a dog has a chip the reunion happens much more quickly and euthanasia will not be the first choice based on clinical assessment.
Survival after a dog is struck by a car is high. The statistics show only 12.5% are euthanized related to multiple fractures or major injuries that are not going to have a successful outcome. The cost of care though to help your dog recover from its traumatic experience can be overwhelming. This can be a cause for euthanasia after a HBC incident. The following articles data from 2001 shows both male and female dogs are involved. This study is 25 years old, and I believe the numbers might be higher now. From this article I cannot determine how many were intact at the time of their trauma. I would agree with its conclusion:
Evaluation of vehicular trauma in dogs: 239 cases (January-December 2001), by Elizabeth M. Streeter
The following link discusses the debate on spay/neuter procedures. I posted this article with a blog in February 2025 on reasons to spay/neuter your pets. If you are wondering whether you should wait to do this procedure, please do your research and speak to your veterinarian. There are lots of positive reasons to do this early.
Deconstructing the spay/neuter debate, Humane World for Animals (humaneworld.org)
As you are prepared to take your dog in the car or spend time outdoors with them, please consider the above recommendations. Especially number #1! NEUTER AND SPAY YOUR PETS! This one procedure could save your dog’s life. Stay safe out there and enjoy the warmer weather.
