PEN UP YOUR DOGS, a rant by me...

[chickensioux]

Sorry this happened to you. I am an avid dog lover, but I have to disagree that you bear ANY responsibility. You were where you were supposed to be, the dog was not. If the owners call you, I would ask how the dog is......period. I hate that it may be injured or worse but you were lucky that you were not hurt or worse. What if you had swerved to miss the dog and hit a human or tree or an oncoming car? I hope the dog is ok but it was loose. What are the leash laws in your area? I wouldn't pay a dime if it were me. I would have terrible guilt and feel horrible for hitting a dog but it wouldn't cost me.....IMO.

 

[MandyH]

You were not in the wrong in any way, and went way above and beyond to try to help the dog. If it had been me I would have left a note on the door that they owed me for a carwash.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

It was very generous of you to pay half of someone else's mistake. Accidents do happen. As mentioned by other posters, you should not have to pay vet bills. Luckily you are okay. My DH has drilled into me to NEVER, NEVER swerve to avoid hitting an animal. To this day I am able to tighten the wheel with both hands and almost close my eyes if I have close calls. It is either me and the kids or the animal to get injured and I don't want my kids hurt.

 

[Moxiechick]

First off, may I say kudos for you, for going to look for the dog and leaving a note. It was both the responsible and kind thing to do! I'm so sorry you had this happen! I know I would be really torn up if this happened to me.

When we visited Tennessee last May, one thing we really noticed about most of the southern states we visited, was the large number of dogs wandering around, and sadly, the large number of dead dogs lying by the roadsides. We must have seen over a dozen in the week we were down there.

Up north, it is fairly rare to see a dog running loose, and I can't remember seeing a dead dog on the road ever. A dead cat from time to time, but never a dog. Not to say it doesn't happen, but it is rare, and they must get picked up really fast. Now don't get me wrong, I know that there are many, many animal lovers in the south, but overall, as a culture, I guess it's a different mindset.

 

[Egg_newton]

I have a boston terrier who I have seen climb the fence. She jumps up and grabs a hold about 1/2 to 3/4 the way up then with another hop she is over. Took me forever to figure out how she was getting out. She only does it every great once in a while. You would think that almost and acre fenced in would be enough for the little poop. But, I guess sometimes not. Luckily only thing behind our house is another acre of our land then lots and lots of bean/corn fields.

 

[vicki2x2]

Sorry you had to go through this. As an animal lover, it is particularly hard, because you don't want to hit a dog, so it is heartbreaking and frustrating!

Accidents happen, I have had dogs get loose, but I am usually hot on their heels and after them! Once though, a friend came over, it was dark, surprised me, I went to answer the door, didn't turn on the lights, because I just wanted to peek out and see who it was, well, once I saw it was her, I opened it up and let her in, then turned on the lights. My dogs were all barking, etc. We went in the living room, they quieted down. After she left, I was looking around and realized I was missing a dog! I had 5 dogs at the time and one had snuck out when I had let her in and I had never even seen it! I panicked and everyone immediately got their shoes on, flashlights and out we went.

I hate when people know their dog is loose and DON'T CARE! My one neighbor has a large pit mix, the owner is good, takes him out and watches him, walks him every night. The granddaughter (18) just lets him out and then off he goes, running the neighborhood. They have told me before he likes to chase the birds in the field, oh great, so I am worried he will notice my chickens, ducks and geese! He is a great big baby, totally harmless to people, but I wouldn't trust him with my animals. Last week he came running into our front yard, luckily my husband saw him and went out and called him before he got around to the other side where the animals are. He came running and rolled onto his belly, and Dh walked him back home. Then yesterday a pickup pulled in with him in the back and asked if we knew where he belonged because they found him running in the road. If something happens to this dog, both the owner and granddaughter will be heartbroken, but the granddaughter needs to become more responsible and realize if something happens it is HER fault!

 

[OccamsTazer]

Yeah, it's a different mindset for a lot of people. I will say that what I saw of this little guy (as he flew through the air >_<) was a well-cared for pooch.
Part of our dog problem in the south is from the fact they strays can live here. Not well, of course, but they get by. When I worked in dog rescue, we used to send huge shipments of adoptable strays up to the Northeast. It was explained to me that because the NE has such serious winters, there just aren't really any strays there. They don't live through the winters.

But yeah, overall I'd just say it's a different mindset.

 

[DuckLady]

Thread cleaned up.

Let's make sure we are not straying off topic and using this thread as a platform for judgment.

Thanks.

 

[texasgal]

Quote:
This. You are responsible for exactly 0% of that .. in fact, you could have been hurt, or hurt someone trying to avoid the dog. Dog shouldn't have been in the road .. period.

Bless you for taking the time to try to find the dog, and leaving a note for the owners ...

 

[debilorrah]

I feel for you!!! It is not your responsibility pay half though. But I understand how you feel. I almost wrecked the other night trying to avoid a little tiny baby jack rabbit.