THIS is the barking mad moment a motorbiker is caught riding with her pet pooch strapped to her chest – before making a bizarre excuse to cops.
The rider was fined a hefty $376 after cops pulled over to question why the 35-year-old was on a ruff ride with her dog in such a dangerous way.
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The Queensland woman claimed that she had bought the harness device online from Chinese e-commerce platform Temu.
She was stopped by officers from Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol at Alexandra Headland at around 2pm on May 17.
The Australian biker said after being caught: “Yeah, no, I didn't know [it was illegal].”
She added: “I bought this off Temu.”
Shocking video captured by police showed the split second moment the police officer caught the motorbiker darting down the road with her pet pup in the corner of his eye.
Realising what he had just witnessed, he rushed forward to catch up with the pair.
When he reached them while stopped in traffic, the dog appeared to be very relaxed, and seemingly soaked in the sunlight with its golden locks.
Senior Sergeant Shane Panoho then approached the unassuming rider.
The police officer started talking to the pair and they both turned their heads in confusion.
Panoho told the woman that the strange device could easily have placed the driver and her furry friend in harm's way.
Amazed, he said: “I've never seen the whole harness thing before.
“You can't be riding around with the dog in between your arms.
He added: “If he starts moving around and going off anything can happen, and that is going to cause you to crash.”
The dog remained extremely relaxed during the ordeal, looking ahead and occasionally poking its tongue out.
Cops then put out a notice to fellow bikers to inform them that this practice was not acceptable.
They said said all riders had to be safe and responsible on the roads, even though “the dog seemed to be comfortable on the bike”.
Sergeant Panoho said: “We know how attached some people are to their pets, but its best to apply a paws-off approach when it comes to our roads.
“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.”
The driver was given a $376 traffic infringement fine for riding with an animal between her arms.
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