Piper the Pit Bull Recovers from Truck Tumble

It was the first sunny Saturday of 2012 in the Pacific Northwest, and Charity Knight of Salem, Ore., and her husband, John packed up Max, their nine-year-old Great Dane and Piper, their four-month-old American pit bull terrier for a trip to the park. On the drive to the park, the Knights rolled down the truck windows so their dogs could enjoy the fresh air when they suddenly heard some strange noises as they approached a Stop sign.

“I still don’t know how she did it, but Piper was gone,” said Charity. “She had jumped out of the window. We stopped and looked down to find her wedged underneath the rear tire of our truck.”

The Knights immediately took Piper to the emergency veterinarian where, to their surprise, the doctor told them that similar accidents happen more often than people think. The veterinarian explained that pet owners should never let their dog stick their head out of the car window and recommended all pets travel in a crate or harness to keep them safe when traveling.

Piper survived with some gruesome lacerations and road rash, but was able to escape without any broken bones or life-threatening injuries. The Knights now harness both of their dogs and take a travel kit with them on road trips.

Despite being lucky enough to avoid filing any large claims for Max over the past decade, the Knights recognize the value of pet insurance and wanted it for their puppy in case the unexpected should arise.

“When we adopted Piper, we never hesitated to purchase coverage for her,” explained Charity. “We hadn’t had her policy for 60 days before having to file a claim for her accident. We were reimbursed for all eligible expenses after meeting our deductible. I received the claim reimbursement check and it brought tears of happiness to my eyes knowing that VPI is here for our family.”

With the terrifying incident behind them, and two healthy dogs at home, the Charity realized the incident could have turned out much worse. “Piper’s all better now, and we’re so thankful for our VPI Pet Insurance.”

Here are some useful tips for ensuring a safe road trip with your furry friend:

• Always restrain with a harness or carrier
• Give them a small meal before heading out
• Never leave your pet unattended
• Bring toys and bedding along to keep them occupied

For more information and tips on car safety for pets, please visit the VPI Pet HealthZone: http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-owner-topics/Car-Safety-for-Pets.aspx