First let me tell you...I apologize in advance for being completely off topic but I needed to get this out!

 

I was driving in to my office this morning when I saw 2 small dogs running and playing in the road.  My immediate thought was "where is their momma?" "They are going to get run over!!"  Well, sure enough, a man in a small truck hit one of the dogs.  What made it even worse, he kept going!!!!  The other dog (it looked like they were siblings) ran in the road to console him.  I pulled over to stop and see if I could take him to the vet or something and a cop pulled over.  He "took" charge of the situation and kicked the dog out of the road.  All I could do was cry. Everyone acted like NOTHING happened! Am I the crazy one here???  Come to find out, his parents lived like three blocks down the road and she had let him out to go potty.  I cried and cried going to work.  All I could think about is that this could happen to my Melba!!! The more I thought about it, the more upset I got.  First of all, why the heck are you going to have animals/pets if you can't be a responsible parent....Second of all, why are they out without supervision and on a leash?  Aren't there leash laws in this state?  This is the second dog this week that I have seen get run over by a car.  I know that accidents happen.  Accidents are accidents and can't be avoided.  Dogs get out, or break their leases, or whatever, but this situation is irresponsible parenting.  I was more upset than the owner was.  I just can't believe it!   I apologize for the irrelevant discussion, but my heart is sad and angry for these pets that are neglected.  I don't have any children of my own, but I have Melba (a 7 month old rescue dog).  She is like my child. I can not imagine allowing her to run freely outside without supervision. Just my opinion.... Thanks for affording me a place to vent!!! Candice

 

Candice, You'll get no argument from me.  I agree with everything you said and am grateful for your post.

Acutally there ARENT leash laws in the whole state - it goes county by county. Here in mecklenburg for example, we have strict leash laws (as well as dog waste laws, etc). Right next door in Union county - no leash laws at all. People get animals cause they're 'cute' and 'fuzzy' and then when they're older and not as cute they've lost their charm. Sadly those same people have kids who are cute as babies and ignored as teens...

Boy Candice, this really strikes a nerve.  First for the ppl letting them loose, I know accidents do happen and dogs do get out, but more than one?  dunno.......guess I'll buy it if the gate was left open, but it sure ROTS that the guy kept going, which is against the law to begin with, wish you could'a gotten his plate.  Secondly, that was pretty cruel for the cop just to kick him out of the way, he's probably not an animal lover either.  Sometimes the world's just not fair.  Big hugs to you today and find extra time to snuggle with melba and appreciate that you have her and not some careless knucklehead.  Hugs to you today. Nancy

Candice, What a horrible thing to see and I would probally be all to pieces myself if I saw that. Unfortunatly ignorance is widespread and so many people dont value animals like many of us do. Good for you Candice for rescueing Melba. There are so many unwanted animals it makes me sick. I have done bulldog rescue for many years and some of the cases are heartbreaking.                                          Annie

Its sad how people just dont care these days. I was leaving for work two days ago and not only was a dog running around with no leash... there were two kids (couldnt have been but around 5 years old each) riding their bikes around - and NOBODY was watching them. I first saw they were outside at 7am (well heard them because the boy was acting like a fire engine yelling his head off)... I left for work at 720a and they were still out there! On a better note... I was making a UTurn into my apartment complex (this was in the past year) and there was a hit cat in the road... well much to my horror I saw the cat MOVE. I made the UTurn stopped and watched traffic zip by praying somebody else wouldnt hit the cat. Finally I was able to get out in the road... the cat was pretty bad off but still alive. After I stopped a person jogging stopped to help and 2 more cars pulled over. We got the cat to the side of the road... one of the men said his vet was nearby and to take the cat there. He said they knew him well and he gave me his business card. He said whatever it cost to take care of the cat he would pay for it himself. Sadly the cats spinal cord was broken and she had to be put to sleep. I took comfort in the fact she didnt have to suffer on the road and die a slow painful death... she was able to be put out of her misery while being petted by many hands. I emailed the guy to let him know what had happened. Its nice to know there are still loving, caring, generous people out there these days. Maaaaan Im getting tears in my eyes telling this!!

Hey Candice.....Wow, that is so sad.  I really love animals too.  I cry when I see one get run over too.  It broke my heart when you said the sibling ran out to console it.  I can't stand it.  I agree with you.  It is the owner's responsibility to have them on a leash.  I guess people don't really care, or maybe they think the dog will not go in the road, who knows.  That is so sad.  I can't beleive the cop kicked him out of the road, well yes I can.  Melba will be o.k., because your a good mom! 

Oh Candice!

My heart is aching and tears are running down my face. I can't imagine your pain since you actually witnessed the cruelty.

Some "people" should get kicked for the way they treat animals. I agree with everything in your post. I just can't imagine leaving an animal to die, "kicking" it to the side of the road or letting my dog out off leash. I don't know what's wrong with those people.

Tonight and this week-end spend some special time with Melba in honor of the poor puppy tha****oday. I'm sure it will be good for both of you.

Again, I'm sooo sorry for you pain.

Love you,

Barb

Candice I cannot tell you how sad this makes me -- and how mad that so-called policeman makes me!  So sorry you had to witness such idiocy! Mary

I am a total dog lover and my maltese are like children to me even though I have 7 kids. We fenced in our front yard so they would be safe to go outside once in a while. I hope the little dog died instantly and didn't suffer. I can't feel to harshly toward the cop since he had no way of knowing if the dog had had its rabies shots or not. I think it would have been much nicer to get a shovel or something to move it however. We have a leash law in our town but our neighbor lets their big black lab run all over the place and I am always afraid my kids are going to see it get run over. It is a sweet dog and just wants attention. It follows the mail carrier and runs back and forth across the street as she delivers the mail. So sorry you had to witness such a scene.