Driving home tonight, a dog bolted out of his house into the street in front of my car. I slammed on the brakes, but I could not stop quick enough and I hit the dog. The family (mom, dad, 2 young kids) was there at the time and they scooped up the 7 month old dog and zipped off to the vet's. I was so shaken up that I was still there crying when the family returned about a half an hour later. I apologized over and over but I still feel terrible. They understood it was an accident, that the dog ran out of the house, but I just feel so bad. What else can I do?
2006-12-05 11:31:44 · 25 answers · asked by snowy d 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, the dog died. :~(
2006-12-05 11:42:20 · update #1
i know how you feel.
but it was an accident.
If the family wasnt too upset with you, then they have forgiven you.
the dog is in a better place now.
try baking cookies for the family!!
you'll feel much better.
or spend time working at the animal shelter!!
dont worry :]]
♥
2006-12-05 11:34:59 · answer #1 · answered by C M 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First of all, don't listen to these creeps who are telling you that you are a bad person. You ARE NOT!!! You tried to contact the owner and what else can you do? The dogs ran away and you couldn't get them. It happens and it is horrible. I too would be devastated. So it's ok to feel bad but don't beat yourself up over it. What you can do is keep trying to get a hold of the owner and let them know what happened and that their dog may need medical attention. I have a 12 and 8 year old and I know how it is so hard to explain these things to them. You could always use it as a learning experience like you can ask them " Do you see why is so important that you stay out of the street and don't cross with out looking? " Tell them that you would never ever want to hit a dog or a person but you just didn't see him. Let them know that sometimes people can't see others who are walking across the street and that's why it's so important to keep themselves safe. Anyway, You are a good person. It will be ok. The owner might be a little upset because it's his/her dog but you just keep in the back of your mind that it was an accident. I wish you luck . Try to stay strong. :o)
2016-05-22 22:31:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At least you have some feeling, which is more than a lot of people. about 2 years ago I got seperated from my dog, and he went searching for me in his search he was struck and killed by a car, the people that killedf him never stopped or offered any assistance for him, there were witness to the fact, I was a work searching for him until 11:00 PM in the dark calling and calling again his name. Finally I was forced to go home.
When I returned the next day my boss ask me if I got my dog, I had relied NO he says he is at the shelter, as he had all neccesssary infor plus a chip, I called immediatelly said I be there to get him, when I got there they handled me his collar and told me my dog was dead, I was so over-come with grief I had to take the next 5 days off from work, and now 2 years later I still cry overy my beloved Murphy my best friend, when I found out the people never stopped it sicken me and made me angry. I know it is terrible but you showed feeling and sometime that can help it might have helped me if the people who killed Murphy were not so heartless, they took away my best friend and felt nothing.
2006-12-05 11:46:10 · answer #3 · answered by CJ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just try to feel better knowing that the dog was taken to the vet as soon as possible. It wasn't your fault, and I'm sure the family knows that. At least you stopped! So many people would have kept on going! Try not to blame yourself. It's called an accident because it happened accidentally. You know if you could have avoided it, you would have. Hang in there.
2006-12-05 11:35:39 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa E 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think just the act of you waiting for them to come back from the vet was enough. You don't need to pay for anything it wasn't your fault. it was a horrible thing that happened but there isn't really much you could do. When I was younger I had a guy run over my chihuaha (he was driving a van) and the guy never even stopped. I was so angry because I knew it was an accident but the jerk never even stopped. I know it will take time but eventually the guilt will go away.
2006-12-05 11:42:24 · answer #5 · answered by yaya 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Okay, here's the thing....the dog bolted from the house. But the dog was/is 7 months old. I used to work for the American Kennel Club so I am going to get on my "responsible dog ownership soapbox". At 7 months old, they should already know that the dog has tendancies to bolt out of the house or likes to try to get out. Also at 7 months old a dog should already have basic obedience commands down and should listen to his master, i.e. if my 7 month old golden retriever bolted out of the house and I sternly called her name, she would stop and come back. How do I know this? Because I had her out in the yard with me about a month ago and she started to run off towards the road and I sternly called her name and she came back. So, while I understand how you feel (I also have hit a dog out on a country road.....don't get me started on "if you love your dog, leash your dog), I would not let this eat at you. It was an accident and honestly the owner has to take some responsibility for not instilling obedience in the dog. Trust me, you CAN train your dog to "drop" when called so that he will stop in his tracks if he is running towards the street.
2006-12-05 11:46:07 · answer #6 · answered by saffebe 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
to bad that you hit the dog i am a dog lover but if the dog was not on a leash new york state law is that you should not be responsible for the vet bill that would be the familys fault that had the dog unleashed i understand fealing bad about it but there is not much you can do personaly even though i would not have to by law i would pay the bill or at least try to make an offer to the family to pay half of it
2006-12-05 11:41:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well at least you tried to stop for it. I heard of a girl who actually went and stomped on a dog! It's natural to feel upset. that must be so terrible and I understand. But at least you can take comfort in the fact that you did what you could and maybe you could check up on him in a few days. or you could do something for the family, like bake some cookies. I hope you feel better soon. I'm so sorry that happened good luck=)
2006-12-05 11:43:44 · answer #8 · answered by 77684 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You can give the family money to buy another dog. Remember never speed in a neighborhood hood and always be observant when driving. It could of been a kid.
2014-03-15 08:29:58 · answer #9 · answered by Angela 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have lots of money you can buy them a new dog, same breed... or try to pay for the vet bill..... or something as small as a card that you can leave at their door tomorrow to let them know you're sorry for their loss and that you're sorry it happened. Whatever you need to do personally to relieve yourself of any blame, because it was really not your fault. Just a bad accident that you couldn't prevent...
2006-12-05 11:49:41 · answer #10 · answered by Ross P 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am very sorry you couldn't stop in time but they should have watched the door and because they couldn't handle a simple task like that the poor dog had to pay the price.
2006-12-05 12:33:55 · answer #11 · answered by Jess. 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋