We Australians love our pets—they’re part of the family, after all. Whether it’s a dog in the front seat, a cat curled up in the back, or even a bird riding shotgun, we’ve all seen some creative ways people travel with their furry (or feathered) companions.
But as one woman recently discovered, there are limits to how far you can go when it comes to bringing your best mate along for the ride—especially on two wheels.
In a scene that could’ve come straight out of a quirky Australian comedy, a 35-year-old woman was pulled over by police while riding her motorbike along Alexandra Headland on the Sunshine Coast.
The reason? She had her dog strapped to her chest in a harness—a setup she proudly told officers she’d purchased from an online bargain site Temu.
Unfortunately for her, the police weren’t impressed with her innovative approach to pet transport.
Bodycam footage captured the moment an officer from the Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol—cheekily dubbed the ‘paw patrol’—approached the rider and her four-legged co-pilot.
‘You know you can’t do that,’ the officer said, clearly surprised. ‘You can’t ride with the dog on the bike. I must say, it’s the first time I’ve seen it with the whole harnessing thing before.’
The woman from Queensland, seemingly unaware of the rules, replied: ‘I bought this off Temu,’ as if that might somehow make it okay.
It didn’t.
She was promptly issued a $376 fine for ‘riding with an animal between arms’—a specific offence under Queensland road rules designed to prevent distractions and ensure safety for all road users.
Senior Sergeant Shane Panoho later explained the reasoning behind the fine, reminding the public that while our pets are precious, safety must come first.
‘We know how attached some people are to their pets, but it’s best to apply a paws-off approach when it comes to our roads,’ he said.
‘The rider had purchased the harness online and did not think through the safety implications, particularly if the dog was to react to other road users, pedestrians or animals.’
And that’s the key issue here. While the dog may have looked calm and content, the potential for sudden movement or distraction is a serious risk—not just to the rider and the dog, but to everyone else on the road.
This incident also highlights a growing trend—the influence of online shopping platforms like Temu, which offer a dizzying array of gadgets and gear, often at bargain prices.
But just because something is for sale online doesn’t mean it’s legal or safe to use on Australian roads.
It’s always worth checking local laws and regulations before strapping on that new harness or installing that flashy new car accessory.
At the end of the day, we all want to keep our pets close—but not at the expense of safety. If you’re planning a road trip or even just a quick ride to the shops, make sure your furry friend is travelling in a way that’s safe, secure, and legal.
What do you think about the rules around animals on motorbikes? Have you ever seen a pet riding in an unusual way? Or maybe you’ve had a close call with an animal on the road? How can pet owners balance safety with companionship on the road? Share your stories in the comments below.
Also read: Could trying to save $20 land you a $2,580 fine? A driver found out the hard way
