Dog walking hack slammed as experts warn it risks serious injury and even death

Pet owners have been warned of the dangers involved in a dog walking hack that has been witnessed in Melbourne and surrounding regions.

Lort Smith Animal Hospital has been notified about dogs being walked from moving vehicles, with a video of the act posted online proving particularly distressing.

''Walking a dog in this manner is not only irresponsible – it places the animals at significant risk and can be viewed as a clear disregard for their welfare,'' Kate Andrews, Lort Smith canine behaviour trainer said.

Watch the video above.

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The risks of this dog walking behaviour range from serious injury to death.

"The dangers are numerous and severe. Dogs could easily become spooked and try to pull away, run under the car or into traffic. There are also serious risks of injury to their legs or paws from the road surface, or entanglement in the leash," she said.

''Health conditions such as joint issues or respiratory problems can be aggravated, and the stress and fear experienced by the dogs in this situation cannot be overstated.

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''This kind of behaviour is reckless and endangers the wellbeing of the dog. Walking your dog should be about enrichment, exercise, and building trust – none of which can be achieved by dragging them alongside a moving vehicle.''

Similar risks apply for people walking their dog while riding a bike.

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If you're finding it hard to walk your dog, Andrews recommended asking a family member or friend or hiring a professional dog walker.

"Animal welfare must always come first. Let's work together to keep our pets safe, healthy, and happy," she said.

A Reddit post showing dogs being walked from a car also had Aussies horrified.

"This isn't innovation. This is endangerment," one said.

"Had a neighbour as a kid that did this briefly cos he'd had an operation and couldn't walk. Us kids quickly ended up as his dog walkers to help out rather than have this," one said.

"Wow how lazy and inconsiderate towards those dogs," another commented.

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