Just want peoples opinions on something.?

Question

If you were to ever hit someone elses pet with your car what would you do? would you go back and tell them or would you keep driving. What would you say to them? what would you do for them? I ask this because a year ago someone hit my cat and never told me. I had to find her laying there on the side of the road. And I know the person that hit her knew he hit her because he put her on our lawn. Just wanted to know what you would do..

She was an indoor cat. She got out the night before and we were looking for her. We lived in an area where there are lots of houses and she was hit right out side of our house.

Answer 1

I am not sure. I think that I would have to be "in the moment" to really know. I would probably ring the owner's door bell, and break the sad news to them. I would also tell them that I would pay for any vet bills (if the cat was still alive), but, if the cat wasn't alive, I would tell them that I would pay for the best cremated place, or ANYTHING! And, if they wanted a new cat, I would pay for him. It would be really sad, but, it would be the least that I could do.

I am very sorry about your cat. I would of told you. Did you ever ask him the neighbor if he was the one, although you saw him? What did you do?

Thanks, and again, sorry for your loss! Thanks,

~[e-mail]

Answer 2

If I knew who owned the cat, I would go and tell them...I think. I have never been in that position, so I'm not sure. I know I would stop and see if the cat was still alive, and take it to a vet if it was. I have done that several times with cats I found injured. I have never hit a cat or dog, thank heavens. I'd like to think I would do the right thing if the cat was dead, but I might not know who the cat belonged to, or if I did, I might hesitate because I was afraid of their reaction. You never know, with some people, how they will react.

By the way, because your cat was found on your lawn does not necessarily mean that someone who knew you and your cat hit her, then put her on your lawn but did not bother to tell you. Cats are often thrown 10, 20, even 30 feet by the impact when they are hit. It is possible that your cat was on the road near your house and was thrown onto the lawn by the impact.

Answer 3

By law they're supposed to stop and offer assistance, no matter what state you live in, this is national.

It may be that they didn't know where the cat lived, in which case they did a kindness by putting her on the lawn so other cars wouldn't drive over her, making things worse. I've lifted more than one dead cat off the road and put them on grass or under a bush, when out walking, if I found one that was hit. It just didn't seem right to leave them there in the road.

Sometimes you don't know you actually hit anything, either. If it's dark or the cat ran after the front of the car was past the line of sight....there could be a number of reasons why a person might not stop, but it seems like the driver actually did, and couldn't help because she was already dead.

It devestates drivers too, who hit one by accident. It's definately not a good feeling to know you just killed a dog or cat and couldn't stop in time. That feeling stays with you for years. I've seen people speed up to try to hit a dog, but many more hit the brakes as hard as they can to avoid doing harm.

I'm sorry she was hit, I know it's hard to deal with a loss like this. Even after a year it can still be as fresh a wound in you as when it happened.

Answer 4

I'm sorry that that happened to your cat. It's hard to say what I would do if I were to accidentally hit someone's cat. If I knew who the cat belonged to, I would definitely tell them and apologize. If it's out away from any houses and I had no idea whose cat it was, I probably wouldn't do anything except stop to check if the cat was dead, injured, etc. I don't know that I would offer anything other than an apology- I would probably feel bad enough to cry, but at the same time, it's not the fault of the driver that people allow their cats to roam freely outside- same with dogs. So, I wouldn't feel it was my responsibility to pay the vet bill. Shoot, if it were a larger animal (like a cow) the owner could be sued if the animals got into the road and caused damage to the vehicles. I just got through paying a vet bill because my dog went nuts and bit someone else's dog- the owner of the other dog and I both left quickly- she to get her dog to the vet, and I to get my dog contained. We both forgot to exchange information, etc. When I got home and my brain cleared, I called all the veterinarians in the county to figure out where she took her dog, and I accepted responsibility for what my dog had done. I told the owner to call me, and I would pay the bill. When several days went by and no phone call- I called her again. But, not being able to stop my 135 lb Saint Bernard from attacking another dog who was on a leash is different (at least in my mind) from not being able to stop when an uncontained pet darts out on the road in front of me.

Answer 5

First off, you shouldnt be blamed for this. This could of been prevented, but you could swear that up and down about any death.
If I hit someones pet, or any animal for that matter, the first thing I would do would try to take it to a 24 hour Vet. If it was during the day and the pet wasn't seriously injured, I would try to knock on a few doors and try to find the owner. I love cats and I could not imagine someone hitting my black cat Squeaky and then just driving off. I dont know what words I could muster up to express my sorry and pain for that family. My kitten is the light of my world, just seeing her run to me when i open the door after a long day is enough to thank god for her everyday. I know im getting off the subject, i just wanted to express how much people should understand and be considerate of animals in the street. Even though most animals might be strays you can never be to sure. Be safe and dont just drive off.

Answer 6

I would feel very bad if I ran over someones pet but I would also assume that a cat outside, in the way of a car is most likely homeless to begin with.

Would I search for the owner? I'd probably take the body to animal control and tell them where it happened incase an owner was looking for the cat.

It's your responsibility to keep your cat indoors where he/she is safe. I hope if you have others or plan to get others you will take better care of them.

I am sorry for your loss but it could have been easily prevented.

Answer 7

Wow sorry that you had to see your cat like that. Are you in NY state? Because by law a person who hits a animal are suppose call the police and report it. I guess you would have to find out the law where you live first and see if you can do anything about it.You can call your local animal shelter too for help.

Answer 8

I personally would tell the person, apologize A LOT and offer to replace the cat if they would like, and any bills for the cremation ect.......and if there was a off chance that the kitty was still alive after I hit it I would be in the vet office ASAP

Answer 9

I hit my neighbors dog. She ran out on me while I was driving down my gravel road. She was Ok but I went to talk to her owners anyway. Maybe it happened when you were out looking for her. at the very least the person wes at least courtious enough to place her on your lawn, not leave her in the road to be repeatedly ran over.

Answer 10

I'd feel awful but I'd tell them. I think it's the law that you have to. Animals are considered property and when you "damage" someone's property you have a duty to tell them and pay for those "damages." I also think that it's just the morally correct thing to do. I'm sorry that it happened to you. I'd be devestated if anything happened to any of my animals. However, I keep my cats inside to keep them safe from vehicles, coyotes, other cats, and sick people who steal them and do unimaginable things to them. Take care.