Rule 57 of the Highway Code states:
 

• When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog crate or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.

We wouldn't dream of not putting babies into car seats for their safety, but why are people risking their so called 'Fur Babies'?!

If your vehicle has a front passenger airbag, this must be deactivated, otherwise DO NOT clip the dog into the front seatbelt anchor.  The airbag will most likely kill the dog.  It is always advised against allowing dogs in the front as they may distract the driver.

Carrying your dog on your lap, or in the footwell IS NOT having it suitably restrained!  It can also leave you with a hefty fine, penalty points, and uninsured!

Rear seats, the dogs must be clipped into a seatbelt anchor point or in a carrier or crate, also fixed.

Your dog may look pretty happy, head sticking out the window, jowls and ears flapping in the breeze, a string of drool trailing back onto the windscreen of the car behind you. It may look like fun, but allowing your dog to ride with his or her head out the window can be harmful, if not outright dangerous.

The best and safest place for your dog AND vehicle occupants is in the vehicle boot.  Preferable in a crash tested crate or carrier.  Collapsable crates do exactly what they are designed to do in a collision..... COLLAPSE! However they are still better that the dog being loose.

In the UK it is not illegal to leave your dog in a car. However, it is illegal to mistreat or abuse an animal in your care. Leaving your dog in a hot car is deemed animal neglect under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and you could be slapped with a fine.