Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Man charged with animal cruelty for driving with pug on motorcycle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/09/man-charged-with-animal-cruelty-for-driving-with-pug-on-motorcyc/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/09/man-charged-with-animal-cruelty-for-driving-with-pug-on-motorcyc/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/09/man-charged-with-animal-cruelty-for-driving-with-pug-on-motorcyc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



There are plenty of dogs that love to ride in the car. Surely you've seen Fido, Spot and Ubu with their heads out the window, gloriously long hair and ears flapping in the breeze, taking in all the sights, sounds and smells of a lovely spring day.

But what if man's best friend wants to be a little more... open to the elements? Well, there are sidecars that can accommodate a four-legged friend, and, though we certainly don't condone it, we've seen a few pups in the backs of pickup trucks, as well.

At least one man and his dog, though, found a somewhat different way to travel: on two wheels. According to The Asbury Park Press, Gyula Szatmari of Tuckerton, NJ, was pulled over on his way home from work with his pet pug on his lap. He was riding a motorcycle.

The local law enforcement cited Szatmari with careless driving and the improper transportation of an animal. According to the rider, he has been riding dog-in-lap for years and the dog apparently doesn't mind... though he's been warned by the police in the past that it's not legal to ride in this manner.

We're not entirely sure what the law dictates when it comes to transporting animals, but something tells us riding a motorcycle with a pug on your lap isn't the best way to get it done. A lined crate, as seen above, might be a better option, no?

Man charged with animal cruelty for driving with pug on motorcycle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dogdog on a motorcycledoggie sidecarmotorcyclemotorcycle dogtransporting dogFri, 09 Sep 2011 16:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20038834/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/09/man-charged-with-animal-cruelty-for-driving-with-pug-on-motorcyc/20038834/article-detail.xml 20038834 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/motorcycle-dog_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/motorcycle-dog.jpg <![CDATA[How distracting is that puppy in the window?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/02/how-distracting-is-that-puppy-in-the-window/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/02/how-distracting-is-that-puppy-in-the-window/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/02/how-distracting-is-that-puppy-in-the-window/#commentsFiled under: ,

Honda Insight and dog

Americans love their dogs, but can our furry friends lead to distracted driving? A report in Consumer Reports says yes, as a study from AAA and Kurgo shows that 52 percent of dog owners pet their dog when they're in the car with them. Further, 19 percent use their hands to prevent the dog from hopping up to the front seat, and 18 percent reach into the back seat to pet their dog. These statistics, which come from a sampling of 1,000 dog owners, show that a pet can be every bit as distracting as a cell phone or a fast food meal a-la-car.

Beyond distractions like letting the dog sit on the driver's lap while driving, the pet can also be a danger in the event of an accident. The study shows that 83 percent of drivers feel that leaving a pet unrestrained is dangerous, but only 16 percent actually restrain their animal. This can be a big problem in the event of an accident, as statistics show that an unrestrained 80-pound dog involved in a 30-mile-per-hour accident will exert 2,400 pounds of pressure upon impact. In other words, if the dog hits you in a 30-mph accident, he or she could do more harm than the vehicle collision itself.

How distracting is that puppy in the window? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaaaccidentdistracted drivingdogdog restraintsdriving with a petdriving with dogsdriving with petskurgopetTue, 02 Aug 2011 08:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20005308/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/02/how-distracting-is-that-puppy-in-the-window/20005308/article-detail.xml 20005308 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/honda-insight-dog_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/honda-insight-dog.jpg <![CDATA[Ice cream trucks go to the dogs in Great Britain]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/28/ice-cream-trucks-go-to-the-dogs-in-great-britain/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/28/ice-cream-trucks-go-to-the-dogs-in-great-britain/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/28/ice-cream-trucks-go-to-the-dogs-in-great-britain/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



A group of pet-minded folk in the UK have good news for dogs in London. A new start-up has taken it upon itself to forge ahead into the blossoming canine ice cream market by rolling out a van devoted to serving up cool treats to man's best friend. The K99 ice cream van stocks just two flavors, though the company says that both were developed by scientists just for dogs. The first, Dog Eat Hog World, is a gammon and chicken sorbet with a biscuit on top, while Canine Cookie Crunch simply has dog biscuits mixed in with the ice cream.

According to The Daily Mail, K99s team of scientists had to work to find flavor combinations that dogs would love while balancing temperature concerns to make sure that the treats were safe to eat. The best news is that the pup ice creams are available for a small donation to the Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs.

[Source: Daily Mail]

Ice cream trucks go to the dogs in Great Britain originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dogDog Ice Creamdog treatsDogIceCreamdogsDogTreatsIce CreamIce Cream VanIceCreamIceCreamVanK99K99 Ice Cream VanK99IceCreamVanpuppiespuppyWed, 28 Jul 2010 07:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19570064/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/28/ice-cream-trucks-go-to-the-dogs-in-great-britain/19570064/article-detail.xml 19570064 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/k99-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/k99-630.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Dog rescued from inside car grille after highway hit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/27/video-dog-rescued-from-inside-car-grille-after-highway-hit/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/27/video-dog-rescued-from-inside-car-grille-after-highway-hit/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/27/video-dog-rescued-from-inside-car-grille-after-highway-hit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

One lucky pup - Click above to watch video after the jump

If you live in a rural area, odds are you've had that heart-sinking feeling that comes along with hitting an animal with your car. Be it a squirrel, opossum, snake or skunk, no one likes killing another being while driving, an it's made a million times worse by smacking someone's pet. A Chilean driver was recently busting down the local highway when a dog ran out in front of his car. After hearing the thud, the driver apparently realized that the chances of survival were pretty slim and took his ride to a local body shop to survey the damage.

Believe it or not, the technicians found one very scared, slightly roughed-up pup nestled behind the broken front fascia. Workers then set about removing the necessary bodywork to get the dog out and to a vet. So far, there's no word on how the dog's doing or if the owner was located, but we're hoping for the best. Hop the jump to see a remarkable video of the pup getting extricated from the grille of the car.

[Source: YouTube via Carscoop]

Continue reading Video: Dog rescued from inside car grille after highway hit

Video: Dog rescued from inside car grille after highway hit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 May 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Animalscanine videoCanineVideocar accidentcar hits dogCarAccidentCarHitsDogChilechilean accidentChileanAccidentDogdog videoDogVideoLucky DogLuckyDogrepair videoRepairVideoroad killroad strikeRoadKillRoadStrikeThu, 27 May 2010 12:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19493684/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/27/video-dog-rescued-from-inside-car-grille-after-highway-hit/19493684/article-detail.xml 19493684 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/lucky-pup_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/lucky-pup.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Dog rips off police cruiser's bumper with teeth, wins friends]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/26/video-dog-rips-off-police-cruisers-bumper-with-teeth-wins-fri/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/26/video-dog-rips-off-police-cruisers-bumper-with-teeth-wins-fri/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/26/video-dog-rips-off-police-cruisers-bumper-with-teeth-wins-fri/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Winston tears the bumper off a police cruiser - Click above to watch video after the jump

Take one Chattanooga, Tennessee police cruiser, add a dog named Winston, and subtract one bumper. That's the math caught on video when Winston decided for reasons only he knows to completely tear off the bumper of the moving police car.

Kudos go to the officer driving the patrol car, who showed marvelous restraint in not simply making a Winston pancake. Following a stint in an animal shelter (where he was a model of good behavior), Winston has been sentenced to obedience school and his owner has bought him a Peterbilt for a chew toy when he gets out. Follow the jump for the action in both a CNN new package and via unedited police dashboard camera footage. Thanks for the tip, Peter!

[Sources: CNN, YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Dog rips off police cruiser's bumper with teeth, wins friends

Video: Dog rips off police cruiser's bumper with teeth, wins friends originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caninechattanoogacnndash camdashboard camDashboardCamDashCamdogdog aggressionDogAggressionk9policepolice campolice camerpolice car bumperPoliceCamPoliceCamerPoliceCarBumpertennesseevideowinstonFri, 26 Mar 2010 12:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19415572/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/26/video-dog-rips-off-police-cruisers-bumper-with-teeth-wins-fri/19415572/article-detail.xml 19415572 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/winstoncruiser_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/winstoncruiser.jpg <![CDATA[Carbon Footprints: Ditch the dog, get a Hummer H2, save the planet?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/#commentsFiled under: ,



If you don't like dogs, there's now a new reason to continue avoiding canis domesticus. New Zealanders Robert and Brenda Vale have put forth the hypothesis that the care and feeding of a pooch is more environmentally harmful than rolling in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Those shifty, antisocial felines aren't much better, so don't get any more smug than you already are, cat people. One ten-pound feline's care is the same to the environment as a 3300-pound Volkswagen Golf, the theory goes.

The Vales present this work in their book "Time to Eat the Dog? The Real Guide to Sustainable Living." The animals that wind up in dog food burden the land while they're alive, and the amount of goodies that people lavish upon their dogs, from squeaky toy to special grooming sessions also do the equivalent work of burning the rainforest.

The claims have been disputed, of course - no doubt by more than a few dog lovers. The chief researcher for Seattle's Sightline Institute, Clark Williams-Derry, ran some numbers of his own and came up with results that don't square with the Vales. The think-tank scientist calculated that for the Vale's numbers to add up, the average dog would have to eat twice as much as the average person, an idea that is difficult to fathom since people are heavier than most dogs.

The takeaway from all this is simply that dog (and cat) ownership does have an ecological footprint. Like everything else in your life, keeping a pet is intertwined with our insatiable consumerism. The truly concerned will carefully consider where the products and items they purchase for their pets are made, what goes into them, and what that means for the planet. The rest of you will keep letting adorable little Beaufort leaves deposit on our lawns.

[Source: Seattle Times | Image: Andrew H. Walker/Getty]

Carbon Footprints: Ditch the dog, get a Hummer H2, save the planet? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon footprintCarbonFootprintcat friendlyCatFriendlydogdog carbon footprintdog environmentdog friendlyDogCarbonFootprintDogEnvironmentDogFriendlydogsenvironmentenvironment dogenvironment petsenvironmentalenvironmental impactEnvironmentalImpactenvironmentalismenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlyEnvironmentDogEnvironmentPetsgreenpetpet environmentpet friendlypet ownershipPetEnvironmentPetFriendlyPetOwnershippetsmartWed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19230024/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/11/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/19230024/article-detail.xml 19230024 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/crazy-cat-dog-adoption-truck-getty_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/crazy-cat-dog-adoption-truck-getty.jpg <![CDATA[Honda goes to the dogs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/honda-goes-to-the-dogs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/honda-goes-to-the-dogs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/honda-goes-to-the-dogs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click the photo above for fur friendly Honda images.

Many folks consult their best friend before making a big purchase. Since the dog is known as man's best friend, owners tend to cater towards their pets when buying a new car. In the United States, that means dog lovers often end up with trucks, SUVs or crossovers. However, in Japan, efficient use of space is a bit more of a priority. That is why Honda Japan developed the Honda Dog website. It all started with the Honda Vamos Dog Edition, but has since expanded to include other offerings. While the site features Honda's pet friendly accessories such as strap-in carriers and mats, it also shows how easily your Corgi will fit into your Fit.

Honda Dog touches upon all dog owner concerns. There are pictures showing how you can arrange pet crates in a variety of Honda vehicles. It even provides dimensions on the best entryway for your small to full-size tongue-wagger. Worried about all that pet hair or soggy dog odor? Honda Dog contains analysis on the ease of pet hair cleanup from vehicle interiors. It also indicates how Honda's advanced deodorization filter can reduce allergens and undesired smells. For some reason, the site even finds it necessary to point out how toys and water bottles fit nicely into the interior compartments such as the glove box, in case you couldn't figure it out for yourself. View the gallery to see a sampling of what Honda Dog has to offer.

Gallery: Honda Dog


[Source: Honda Dog]

Honda goes to the dogs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DogFitfreedHondaSun, 01 Jun 2008 15:19:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1211349/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/06/01/honda-goes-to-the-dogs/1211349/article-detail.xml 1211349 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/freedcorgi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/freedcorgi.jpg <![CDATA[California law proposes ban on lap pets in car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/california-law-proposes-ban-on-lap-pets-in-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/california-law-proposes-ban-on-lap-pets-in-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/california-law-proposes-ban-on-lap-pets-in-car/#commentsFiled under: ,

Drivers give in to a lot of distractions behind the wheel. Phone calls, eating, drinking, and slapping the kids around are one thing, but something that's always irked us is drivers traveling with pets on their laps. Aside from the possibility of Fluffy freaking out and doing its doggone best to create a crash, we've always envisioned a Chihuahua-sized cavity in someone's chest after the airbag deploys. Well, California Assemblyman Bill Maze shares our concern and has proposed a bill to make it illegal for an animal to be held on a driver's lap while behind the wheel. The bill passed the Assembly on Monday by a vote of 44-11 and is on its way to the state Senate before landing on Arnie's desk. Here's hoping that the Governator does what's right for man and his best friend.

[Source: AP]

California law proposes ban on lap pets in car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 May 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above to view the new Nissan Qashqai ad.

After Nissan scored creative points with its last Qashqai spot showing the 'lil CUV taking to the half pipe and performing skateboard stunts that would make Rodney Mullen's head spin, its now released a new campaign that involves - God help us - a driving dog, a Thai musical stunt team and a flaming hoop. The ad is part of Nissan's newest viral campaign that will highlight four amateur performance groups - the first from Thailand, followed by teams of Flemish, Polish and African descent - on the blog.spannerleague.com website. Look for new videos to pop up each month, but without further ado, hit the jump to watch man's best friend risk life and four limbs along with his band of (obviously fake) Thai musicians.

Continue reading VIDEO: Nissan Qashqai gets even more extreme, in Thailand

VIDEO: Nissan Qashqai gets even more extreme, in Thailand originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Back in the day, they loved their unmitigated dangerousness. Don't want exciteable little Muffy getting all nutso and chewing the seat foam? Stick him in his very own doggy bag and make his stinky little backside ride on the running board. Cut one of those shrinking yellow lights too close, and you'll let all the jelly filling out of your canine friend with this rig, but the dog would probably love this style of travel. The only modern car you could attempt this stunt with would be a New Beetle, though there's plenty of trucks with running boards. What's a better combo than a man and his truck, with his dog in a bag outside?

[Source: Modern Mechanix via Digg]

Man's best friend relegated to running board sack in 1936 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bagdogdog in a sackdog in bagdog on running boardDogInASackDogInBagDogOnRunningBoardmodern mechanixModernMechanixrunning boardRunningBoardvintage magazineVintageMagazineSat, 15 Mar 2008 14:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1140806/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/15/mans-best-friend-relegated-to-running-board-sack-in-1936/1140806/article-detail.xml 1140806 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/lrg_dog_car_sack_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/lrg_dog_car_sack.jpg <![CDATA[It's Dodge Nitro vs. dog in "shocking" new viral]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/video-shocking-dodge-nitro-electrocutes-dog/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/video-shocking-dodge-nitro-electrocutes-dog/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/video-shocking-dodge-nitro-electrocutes-dog/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Dodge Nitro may not be flying off dealer lots right now, but at least the mid-size SUV's advertising campaign has taken on a life of its own. You probably remember the commercial in which the owner of a Nitro gives a motorist a jump, only to blow his car sky-high. Someone has cooked up a viral spot in which a dog that tries to do his business on a hydrant-red Nitro, but winds up getting the (last) shock of its life. PETA members can't be pleased, but it's just a commercial (a European one, based on that front license tag). Check it out after the jump, unless you've recently lost a pet. Especially to an angry Nitro that shoots Force lightning.

[Source: YouTube]

Thanks for the tip, Paul!

Continue reading It's Dodge Nitro vs. dog in "shocking" new viral

It's Dodge Nitro vs. dog in "shocking" new viral originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DodgeDogelectricuteNitroviral adViralAdWed, 18 Jul 2007 18:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/942531/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/07/18/video-shocking-dodge-nitro-electrocutes-dog/942531/article-detail.xml 942531 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/nitro_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/nitro.jpg -1 2