A woman riding a motorbike on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast received a fine for having her dog strapped to her chest in a harness. The incident occurred last Saturday around 2pm on Alexandra Parade, where highway patrol officers pulled her over after noticing the unusual arrangement. Body-cam footage captured the scene, showcasing the dog perched on the bike with its paws up, prompting the officer to express astonishment.
The officer stated, “I’m not saying it’s the first time I’ve seen it, but I’ve never encountered such a harnessing situation before,” before informing the rider that transporting a dog in that manner is not permissible. The woman, 35 and from Maroochydore, explained that she had purchased the harness online from Temu, remarking, “I didn’t know it was an issue.”
Despite the dog seeming comfortable, Senior Sergeant Shane Panoho cautioned that such a setup could endanger both the rider and other road users. He emphasised the potential risks if the dog reacted to other vehicles, pedestrians, or animals, which could jeopardise safety on the roads.
Ultimately, she was fined $376 for this infringement, drawing attention to the importance of ensuring the safety of pets while riding.