The internet is full of videos of dogs in elevators. Some pups seem to love taking a ride — others don’t. These nervous canines may have an instinctual fear of vertical-transportation (VT) equipment, which can be extremely dangerous to animals. A recent incident caught on camera in Brazil shows a small dog follow his owner into a lift with its leash dragging behind. When the elevator starts, the dog is pulled off its feet by the leash trapped between the doors. Fortunately, the owner, a young boy, was able to free the dog and avoid injury himself.
A working knowledge of VT safety principles is important for everyone who uses this equipment, and pets must rely on their owners to keep them out of harm’s way. Preventive Vet, an online resource dedicated to helping save dogs’ and cats’ lives through educational content, has compiled a list of guidelines to help reduce the risk elevator and escalator rides pose for “man’s best friend.”
Elevators
- Keep your dog close when entering and exiting an elevator to avoid getting its leash stuck in the doors.
- Hold the elevator doors during entry and exit.
- Consider using a breakaway collar that unclips when pressure is applied to prevent choking.
- Carry small dogs while riding elevators.
- Be aware: Keep a close eye on your pet during the entire elevator ride.
Escalators
- Carry your dog in your arms while you ride the escalator.
- If your dog is too large to hold, use an elevator or the stairs.
- Be mindful of where the dog’s leash is and don’t let it dangle, which could cause a tripping hazard or become stuck in the moving stairs.
- Locate the emergency stop button on the escalator before riding.
- Seeing-eye dogs and other working dogs may be trained to ride escalators. These service animals are instructed to stay still and quickly exit the escalator by jumping over the grate.
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