Thread: When you hit a dog...

Was on my way to work today driving down the usual street I normally do everyday. Was a lot busier then usual. As I pass the Diamond Shamarock gas station, I notice four guys trying to push start their car going down the opposite lane. I glance for half a second at them, and then look back, only to see this brown thing right in front of my bumper. Before I can even slam on my brakes, my car hits the dog, who runs away yelping. I stop my car, put it in park in the middle of the intersection, and turn it off. I jump out, exchange some angry words with 3 of the dudes who were pushing the car, then go over to the owner and the dog. The dog had managed to limp itself over to the owner, and I apologize endlessly for hitting his dog. He was pretty cool about it, though I suspect it was relief at the fact that his dog hadn't been outright killed when I hit it. I'm no vet, but the dog just seemed scared (Minus the severe limp) It wasn't whining or yelping as we checked it to see if we could find any bleeding. I'm hopeful that the dog is going to be ok.

That's not what is getting to me. What is really eating me up is the agonized "Noooo!" the owner shouted twice right when I hit his dog.

Why is it eating me up? Because the dog I had before these two I have now was hit by a Fedex delivery van and killed, and I never even got the chance to fuckin rage at the driver, cause the bastard drove off. And here I am hitting this dudes dog cause I was distracted for a crucial half second. Made me feel like shit...

yeah it sucks but not really your fault. i mean the dog was in the road and you did the right thing checking with the owner. dont let it eat you up.

but also always pay attention when your driving. coulda been another car an old person or a kid. we are all guilty of it from time to time but you gota remember to concentrate on the road

You actually stopped and felt sympathetic instead of just driving off so there should be some solace felt even just for that.

Happened to me once when i was 17. No one that saw it happen claimed to be the owner, so my wife and i (girlfriend back then) loaded him carefully into the back seat and flew to a Vet about 5 miles away. We called the owner and they were quickly there.... shortly after the 5 month old German Shepard puppy died. The owner was heartbroken than mad, but genuinely appreciative that i didnt just drive away, but took the time to scoop the little guy up and get him to a doctor. I still feel bad whenever i think about it.

It's not the dog's fault, or the drivers. It's the owner's responsibility to keep their animal under control. Roads are for cars, not dogs. The owner put both you, and the dog, in the terrible situation by not having it on a leash.

Not that I wouldn't feel awful myself, as I am a HUGE dog fan. I'm glad you stopped.....show's more responsibility than many people twice your age.

Hit one while riding a motorcycle once and I wished I could have found the owner not to say I'm sorry but to treat him to a little bit of the pain I was feeling.