Woman warns about dogs in cars after losing her pet in strange accident

A woman has issued a strong warning about the safety of dogs in cars and Newsweek the devastating consequences of losing her own beloved pet in a bizarre accident nearly two decades ago.

Kristin Minassian spoke about the tragic incident on social media, hoping to raise awareness about the dangers of driving with the windows down with pets.

In her retelling, which she posted on Instagram on July 21 under the name @kristinminassian, she describes the day she lost her beloved Australian Shepherd, Aussie, along the way.

Viewers were moved, calling Minassian's story a powerful reminder of the unforeseen dangers that can arise when traveling with animals and the importance of ensuring pets' safety during car trips.

“Over 15 years ago, my husband and I were driving out of a drive-in when the person at the window wanted to give our dog a treat,” Minassian said. Newsweek. “We rolled down the back window so she could do something nice for Aussie.

“Sometimes she stuck her head out the window, but that day we made a big mistake.”

The mistake of not securing Aussie with a dog seatbelt and leaving the window closed for too long had disastrous consequences. While Minassian held Aussie's leash from the front seat, in the excitement of sorting their food, they overlooked the potential danger. As they drove off, Aussie suddenly decided to jump out the window.

Minassian was unable to hold onto the leash and the dog fell onto the road. Despite desperate efforts to rush Aussie to the vet, she tragically died on the way to the animal hospital.

“It's been over 15 years and I'm still heartbroken and feel so guilty,” Minassian said. “She was such a fun-loving little girl who loved playing ball, swimming in the lake and playing fetch.”

The poignant memory came back to Minassian recently when she saw a dog hanging out of a car window, seemingly detached from the seat. The sight immediately triggered fear and a flood of memories of that tragic day.

“I experienced it and it was one of the most tragic events of our lives,” Minassian said.

Determined to prevent other pet owners from suffering such tragedies, she filmed her reaction and shared the story online. Minassian's video quickly garnered widespread attention and resonated with viewers who empathized with her loss and recognized the importance of her message.

“I had no idea it would reach so many people around the world,” she said.

Although the response included some hurtful comments, the overwhelmingly positive response – including from other pet owners who had similar experiences – and the fact that raising awareness could potentially save lives gave Minassian a sense of comfort.

“I feel like I should see this, my dog ​​always hangs out the front,” one viewer commented. “Thanks for sharing.”

Another added: “I am so sorry. Our dog (my best friend) died last year just after his sixth birthday… He jumped from the third row onto the trunk and broke his neck. My heart will never heal.”

“Knowing that through our tragedy and by sharing this story, we have raised awareness and potentially saved other dogs’ lives makes me feel better,” Minassian said.

Despite the time that has passed, Minassian's pain and guilt are still palpable and she now wants to spare others the heartache she had to endure.

To prevent similar incidents, be sure to ensure your dog is securely fastened with a seatbelt or harness and that the windows are rolled up or only slightly down.

Do you have videos or pictures of your pet that you'd like to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and he could appear on our Pet of the Week list.