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

[OccamsTazer]

Seriously. I just ran over a Jack Russel Terrier on the way home from class.

What the $%^&, I say. I nearly crashed trying to avoid him. It was unavoidable. And I was going about 45 when it happened. He tumbled and then ran off behind his house. There was no blood, but I literally knocked the poo out of him, as there is poo on my front fender.
The man across the street came out to see if I was ok because he heard my brakes screech. When I told him what happend (rather panicked and tearful) he asked,
"Did ye kill 'em? Naw? Too bad, all they do is bark!"

Lovely guy. So. I came home, got the Man, and we went back to look for Dog. He was nowhere to be found (last I saw, he was bookin' it into the woods, but I'm sure he was hurt).
I left a note on the door with my number, I hope they call and let me know what happened. I'm willing to pay half the vet bill, since I certainly bear at least half the responsibility, but WHY WAS HE IN THE ROAD?

Seriously, peeps. Responsible dog ownership=fences. This house, btw, had all the hallmarks of an animal collector. Five dogs in the front, two in the back yard plus puppies, and at least two voices barking from inside. On the other hand, they were all well-fed, and all the loose ones had radio collars on. Maybe the JRT just busted out of the radio fence, it would be about right for that breed.
I accepted long ago that most people around here do not value dogs the way I do, and perhaps I'm wrong. I haven't seen their dogs in the road before. Perhaps I'm wrong. My own dogs have gotten out before. Crap DOES happen. But still. Grr.
PEN UP YOUR DOGS.

 

[19hhbelgian]

Oh, that stinks! I hate when stupid stuff like that happens.

 

[Hillsvale]

sorry you have to deal with this but escapes do happen...

I have a young border collie and once in a while he would wedge the hard head in the door and off he went.... we also have a 9 year old shepherd that would hop over a 6' gate is he heard a car start and thought he was missing out on a car ride...

We moved to the country!

 

[MagsC]

We live in town, my dogs are either supervised in a fenced area (when I am working outside or taking them to the bathroom) or on a leash. Here, if they got loose, we have a highway close, and its almost a death sentence.

Maybe I am overly paranoid about taking precautions.

 

[OccamsTazer]

MagsC, I don't think you're paranoid, I think you're a responsible dog owner!

 

[MagsC]

LOL, glad to hear it!

Thank you. Hope you find out what happened to the Jack Russell.

 

[OccamsTazer]

I just hope they don't call me wanting blood because they came home and the dog was dead, know what I mean?

If I could find him, I'd have taken him to the vet, but he was breaking the sound barrier off into the woods.
Whew. Nuff drama for the week

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

i agree, keep your dog penned if you plan on keeping it outside without you by it. i've had my corgi slip out of his collar twice while i tried to put him outside last year when we first got him. he knows how to slip out of harnesses easily even if they are put tightly on him. i or my dh take him outside and walk him since i don't like the idea that he knows how to escape things or takes the time to figure them out when he is by himself.

those invisible fences are for the 'bird' when it comes to breeds that track a scent. they won't care about a little zap since they become accustomed to the feel after trying it often.

i am sorry you hit the dog and i hope it is ok when it is found. i'm sure it made it back to the owners since that is usually a place of comfort that they would run to.

 

[fordmommy]

Quote:
You did your part by leaving the note. You are not liable for the dog if he is not tied up. Accidents happen. But in all honesty, the owner of the dog would be liable for damage done to your vehical. I know it sounds aweful. But it's the truth. My neighbor's dog was hit by a truck this summer. It turned out to be a off-duty sheriff. So we all learned a little that day.

P.s. I really do love dogs. I have 2 myself. And would have more if DH would let me.

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

Quote:
you can just remind them that the dog was 'at large (or small

)' when it was running loose. even with a chain attach or a zap collar on it is still not being contained and in the owner's control anymore.