Motorists have been advised to ensure they have a dog harness if they are taking their canine out for a drive.

According to The Humane Society, it is a bad idea to let an animal roam loose inside a vehicle, Cars.com reports.

Therefore, it has called on pet owners to ensure dogs are adequately secured whenever they are travelling.

Kelly Connolly, an issues specialist at The Humane Society, also encouraged people with dogs to ensure that the animal’s head does not hang outside the window.

She warned that if a dog’s head does not stay inside the car, they could potentially be injured during the journey.

Ms Connolly added that animals who are secured in a dog harness should be placed near the front to reduce the risk of car sickness.

"The closer your dog is to the front of the vehicle, the less motion there is," she commented.

This comes shortly after esure advised dog owners to take out pet insurance, as this could help cover the cost of expensive veterinary treatment.