Safety vest or harness for pets or small children

Claim 1

An animal or child harness suitable for pets such as dogs, cats or monkeys or for small children, the harness comprising a panel portion of flexible material shaped to pass around the underneath of the body of the animal or child from one side to the other and to extend over a substantial part of the length of the body in a front to rear direction, a pair of front straps extending laterally from opposite sides of the panel portion adjacent the front thereof for passing laterally across the top of the body of the animal or child behind the neck, said front straps having free end portions carrying releasable securing means to enable said front free end portions to be secured together, a pair of rear straps extending laterally from opposite sides of the panel portion adjacent the rear thereof for passing laterally across the top of the body of the animal or child near the rear thereof, said rear straps having free end portions to be secured together, and a longitudinal strap extending between a front strap and a corresponding rear strap so as to extend centrally along the back of the animal or child in a front to rear direction when the harness is secured in position, a first connecting portion extending between one front strap and a corresponding rear strap, a second connecting portion extending between the other front strap and the other corresponding rear strap, and at least one intermediate strap extending between the main panel portion and each adjacent connecting portion.