11mo ago

I hit a dog.

I was going to drop my kid off at school when a dog ran between two cars and my back tire ran over a portion of the dog. I slowed down and stopped not knowing what to do and watched the dog hop up and hobble away into an adjoining back yard. What seemed to be the owner followed the dog into the back yard. I immediately pulled over but had to roll up my windows as my dog was riding along. I waited a few houses away not really knowing how to react and asking my kid what she thought I should do. When the dog quickly wandered off she wasn't sure how I should act either.

What do I do? My initial hesitancy is tied to the dog quickly walking away into what looked like it's home and the owner slowly following it away. I'm concerned of getting into the middle of a highly emotional situation if the dog needs to go to the vet. If the dog lay lifeless I would have had no issue with getting out and consoling as needed. Is there a difference? I think also am concerned I'll get told I'm responsible and need to help cover any vet costs.

53 comments

You stop and talk to the owner.
Maybe the owner didn’t know what happened, maybe the dog had internal injuries that it’s not presenting and needs to go to the vet.
The rest is secondary, an animal’s life is worth more then an insurance claim.
- I plan on going back by later today.
  
  That’s a day too late, should have been immediately.
  Hopefully the dog is okay.
  
  If you go back, this random internet stranger is proud of you.
  
  And by the way. You ARE responsible and need to help cover the vet bills.
  For the law alone, you damaged another person's property.
  From the moral standpoint, you insured someone's pet, a living being. You have absolutely a moral obligation to take responsibility.
  And as a parent, you have a moral obligation to teach your children to take responsibility for your actions and mistakes. Even if it cost you.
Personally, I would gone immediately. That said, it was a high stress, emotional, and scary situation. What's done is done, there's nothing that going back now would accomplish. If you really feel bad enough to go back and explain what happened, I would suggest a letter instead. Let's you get it off your chest, let's the owner know what happened, and doesn't risk a physical altercation because the owner is upset about you not stopping immediately.
If it makes you feel any better, I've had 3 dogs hit by cars. The first survived, the driver did not stop. A neighbor told us. The second was lost and it took me hours to find him because the driver did not stop. It was devastating, and frankly, I've never gotten over his death. He was small, though, and it was night. I work off the assumption the driver thought he was a opossum or raccoon or something.
The third was hit twice, both times the driver stopped. Both times the driver was just as upset as I was, and we comforted each other. It wasn't their fault. It was my fault for not staying in top of fence maintaince, or assuming because I live in the middle of nowhere that's it's safe to let them run. Most dog owners aren't going to blame you, unless you're driving recklessly or aiming for the dog.
You're okay. It's a horrible situation, but you didn't do it on purpose, you didn't do it out of malice. You're still a good person. Be nice to yourself and try to move past this.
- Going back accomplishes being responsible.
  You caused damage with your car. Damage to a life, but still, pets are considered property.
  Edit also op was potentially damaged too. It's important to let the law handle it.
  Driving off is the coward's path, it is also conditionally illegal. (Hit and run, property damage)
  If you're worried for your safety, bring someone with you when you drop off your contact info.
  
  I agree they should have stopped at the time. But going back after having left the scene initially accomplishes nothing of value. It may or may not be illegal. Already crossed that line. It accomplishes an arbitrary responsibility that serves nothing but upsetting the owner of the dog again. We're probably not going to agree about it, I guess. I wouldn't try to talk someone out of going back, but having been on the victim side of this (and the driver's side, with a cat, where I did stop and talk to the owner), I would not advise they go back after having already made the mistake of leaving initially. Best argument is "I had to get my kid to school" which, to the grieving family, may well sound like "my schedule was more important than your beloved pet's life." That's irrational, of course, but grief is not rational.
In the future do not turn to your kid to ask her what she thinks you should do, unless your kid is an adult.
For now, if there’s no way to help then there’s no way to help.
One option you have is to leave your contact info. Doing this will likely lead to some financial responsibility for the dog’s care.
Finally, when passing close next to a line of cars go very slowly so you can stop in the short time it takes an animal to cross that tiny distance to your car.
Dogs are fast though, and low. Forgive yourself for the slip-up.
I'm sorry, that's horrible. Did anyone else see what happened and stop? If so, chat to them first and see if they'd be comfortable backing you up on what happened (dog ran out, no time to react). Hopefully that's not needed, but you never know.
I saw that exact thing happen when the car in front of me hit a dog. Poor thing was dying on the road and I heard someone down the street whistling for their dog to come inside. I went and told them what happened, and made sure to say that the driver is distraught and absolutely could not have done anything to avoid the dog. Fucking sucks for everyone involved
- I feel horrible. I think it didn't help having my daughter inside the car and the dog with me. I agree talking to the lady across the street and stopping back by to check in may be best.
It's okay to feel bad for the dog, but in which country would you be responsible for the vet costs, when it's the owners responsibility to keep the dog safe?
Edit: I would only approach the owner if you feel you can do so safety, you don't know how people will react, explain what happened and leave.
- That is helpful. Thank you.
  
  It's distressing seeing an animal injured, it's also infuriating seeing so many pets put at risk by their shit owners and it's just weird that people are posting telling you you're legally/financially/morally responsible.
I think it is appropriate to stop and offer an apology for your part in it, even though this wasn't really your fault.
I'll also note, it's not too late. You did have to get your kid to school after all, but you can still drop by at some point. You could offer them a small housewarming-type gift if you wanted, just a token to go with the apology. While this probably wouldn't really compensate anything, a small token would at least be a little neighborly.
You should tell us which legislation and society.
- USA?
  
  Dogs should be on the leash... Dogs running into car is owners problem. Short of them being able to prove you did this on purpose, there is nothing to worry about.
  There is no benefit of trying to talk to the owner, only risk
I wonder why no one is saying that since the dog was not properly leashed, it is the dog owner who is at fault. In fact, he would be responsible to pay for any damages to your car.
I don't think there's any way you'll be responsible for this lol
- The answer to your last question should tell you why everything you wrote above it is fucking awful.
  If you're driving safely and an unleashed dog sprints into the road and goes under your car from the side, what the hell do you think you would do to avoid it?
  It's the owner's responsibility and fault, not OPs
  
  My other kid had a good perspective. He said if our dog ran out into the road unleashed we wouldn't expect anything out of a driver who hits the dog.
  
  If you’re driving safely, then you can see the dog coming.
  If you don’t have line of sight to places where animals or children might be coming from, then driving safely means slowing way down.
- Don't listen to this person. Unleashed dogs are the responsibility of the owner in most states. Not only are you not legally responsible for the injuries to the dog, the owner is responsible for any damage to your car.
  
  Thank you.
- The owner is responsible for letting the dog roam uncontrolled.
  
  Thanks.
- If the dog ran into the path of the rear tyre, what do you think you could have done differently in this situation? The owner is responsible for their unleashed dog
  
  I just feel terrible that I hurt a dog and don't know how to react. I know it wasn't on purpose but I get sad if I run over a squirrel in the road.

53 comments