No, not really.  
 
This morning at approx 720am on the Douglas Road, some wonderful SUV driver hit and killed my nephews and niece's puppy, Donkey. Now, whose responsibility in this accident is not my intent of this post.  
 
What is, however, is to point out how such drivers lacked consideration to stop and show empathy to the family that was just devastated. And they cannot say they did not know, as the family heard the impact from inside.  
 
I just think it is callous actions that now these kids are grieving and the people who hit Donkey did not show an ounce of remorse for their involvement.  
 
Thanks!

I feel for the loss of the puppy and pray it never happens again. And it won't if you tie up your dog or keep it safe in a fenced yard.  
I had an incident in Winnipeg last week where i was traveling down a main road doing about 55 in a 60 zone when a dog ran out in front of the vehicle. I had my 18 month old in the vehicle with me. Luckily there was no one behind me and I was able to slam on the brakes hard enough to stop in time. If it was a choice between a dog and my child getting hurt the dog would be gone.  
Be kind to your pets, keep them tied up or in the house. Also spay or neuter them to keep them from roaming and overpopulating the world.  
Again, I fell sad that letting the cute puppy run free allowed it to be hit by a car.

the driver should have stopped at least to acknowledge the fact that they hit the dog. I'm sure it was an accident but that doesn't lessen a family's shock and grief. Sometimes an apology goes a long way.

..if the dog was tied up or in a fenced yard it wouldnt of ran into the road and got hit. But i dont agree with just leaving the poor thing, he or she should of stayed and should of showed some remorse for the family. It is a sad story and im sorry to hear about Donkey

the dog was properly tied up or fenced in, this wouldn't have happened in the first place. While its a rude thing not to stop, the driver isn't to blame, irresponsible pet owners are.

I have to agree with others, i get that they are upset about the dog dying. And maybe the guy should have stopped to apologize, but honestly i don't think its his fault, so why should he give an apology? The dog should have been chained up or in a yard, not running on the road. You can't really blame the guy for hitting a dog that shouldn't have been on the road. He doesn't really have anything to apologize for, he was driving where he was supposed to.  
On another level, if he had stopped to apologize would they have given him an apology for any damage to his vehicle? would they have offered to covered the cost of fixing any dents? Why is the driver the one who is expected to admit fault by apologizing, from my point of view, he wasn't in the wrong on this one.

I also hit a dog about a year ago. The owners accidentally left the door open and it escaped. I stayed with the family until the parents were able to come home and contact the vet clinic. I don't know if the dog died or not as they left for the vet clinic and I never heard from them. I was not, however, going to offer to pay the vet bills....completely an accident and I still feel horrible. It is sad when these things happen but as a pet owner I try to be responsible for my pets. A sorry goes a very long way when dealing with this loss.  

"You can't really blame the guy for hitting a dog that shouldn't have been on the road. He doesn't really have anything to apologize for, he was driving where he was supposed to."  
 
 
sorry but that's like saying if a kid ran on to the street cause the parent turned there back for a second and he hit her because she shouldnt have been on the street? a driver is supposed to be prepared for anything like that, especially if it's on a residential street.

I am sorry, Soul of the loss of Donkey. Poor little puppy. ;(

I wasn't blaming the driver, and I said that previously. The puppy and it's mom were just let out as my BIL was going to work and sister was outside. Puppy had snuck under the fence, apparently to follow BIL. The family and I understand the responsibility factor ... it was an *accident*.  
 
What I find befuddling is how they did not even stop to check on Donkey either. Must have known they creamed him. :'(  
 
I hit a dog a couple years ago on the TCH.... not an iota of my fault, but I still tried to help it and find it's family (which I did).  
 
I am just sad for one nephew, especially, who adored Donkey and will now help his Dad bury him. It might have eased their trauma and understanding to have the driver stop and acknowledge the accident ... NOT acknowledge fault. So having him tied up is a moot point and not the intent of my vent.

Angela11 said ""You can't really blame the guy for hitting a dog that shouldn't have been on the road. He doesn't really have anything to apologize for, he was driving where he was supposed to."       sorry but that's like saying if a kid ran on to the street cause the parent turned there back for a second and he hit her because she shouldnt have been on the street? a driver is supposed to be prepared for anything like that, especially if it's on a residential street. "

Actually, if you'll look at the law, if a child darts out onto the road unexpectedly the driver of the vehicle is generally not found at fault unless they were over the speed limit or breaking some other law. So yeah, its kind of the same thing. You can't hold others responsible for another's actions. it would be sad, but hardly the fault of the driver. It would more be the fault of the parent for turning their back, even if for a second.  
 
 
Sorry to let this go off topic soul, I just wanted to address what angela wrote.

Apologizing does not have to mean admitting fault. It can simply mean sympathizing with the situation.

when we lived in the country our dog got hit darting across the road - he had gotten off his chain and was loose. I did not find him until I arrived home from work at 5:30pm. There was no note or any acknowledgement from the driver. He did eventually stop the next day to see how the dog was - which I certainly give him credit for. However, this was someone that knew me and where I work. He said he hit the dog at about 10am, which means the dog suffered all day until I got home and took him to the vet. After some very expensive surgery the dog lived but that full day wait could easily have meant the difference between life and death for him. I did not hold the driver responsible, nor did I expect him to pay the vet bills, I was just disgusted by how long it took him to come forward. I totally agree Soul that an apology and acknowledgement can go a very long way in what can be a very heartbreaking situation.

I'm so sorry to hear about Donkey. It must be completely devastating to lose a pet that way. But I just wanted to say that perhaps you shouldn't think the worst of the driver right away...perhaps it was someone young and inexperienced who simply panicked. And while you mention that the family heard the impact, it's still entirely possible that the driver didn't, as the dog may have slipped in under the back of the vehicle. I hope that you can put aside any bitterness, try to see that most people wouldn't drive away if they knew, and help Donkey's family get through this.

say I am so sorry to your sister and her family for the loss of their precious wee pet.

in the country, our dog was killed on the road. We received a letter in the mail several weeks later to pay the deductible for the damage to their car. Can't recall if it was from MPIC or the car owner. Hope that doesn't happen to you.  
Sorry to hear about your puppy. That's an awful thing to see and hear, I'm sure.  

kiwifruit said "the dog was properly tied up or fenced in, this wouldn't have happened in the first place. While its a rude thing not to stop, the driver isn't to blame, irresponsible pet owners are. "

Apparently you have no heart at all. No matter what the circumstances, this driver could have had the heart to stop. The driver is certainly to blame for this. Maybe not hitting the dog, because sometimes that can't be avoided, but he/she is certainly to blame for not stopping. Imagine if this happened to you and have a heart!

The kids have been reading here today and appreciate the concern that many of you have shown ... they are all very moved by these events and are trying to make sense of it all. Donkey was only 3mths old ... he was a curious and energetic puppy who was just learning to sit and listen. Sorry guys.

From the Manitoba Highway Traffic Act:  
 
Action where animal injured  
 
155(8) When a domestic animal is injured by a motor vehicle, the driver or person required, under subsection (1), (2), (4), or (5), to report the accident shall  
 
(a) forthwith report the occurrence to the owner of the animal if known or if he can readily be found, and otherwise to the first peace officer whom he can find or to the clerk of the municipality in which the accident occurs; and  
 
(b) if practicable, remove the animal from the roadway.  
 

I know what you're going through. My parents dog was hit as well. No one stopped. There was no way for them to know who the dog belonged to.  
 
People live in the country so they can let their dogs and cats have some freedom and not have to tie them up. It's just something everyone who has a free roaming animal has to be aware of. As sad as it is, animals that are left to wander may get hit. It's a chance the owners take when they don't tie them or fence them in.  
 
I did not hit the puppy, and I feel sorry for the owners.

Oryx said "From the Manitoba Highway Traffic Act:     Action where animal injured     155(8) When a domestic animal is injured by a motor vehicle, the driver or person required, under subsection (1), (2), (4), or (5), to report the accident shall     (a) forthwith report the occurrence to the owner of the animal if known or if he can readily be found, and otherwise to the first peace officer whom he can find or to the clerk of the municipality in which the accident occurs; and     (b) if practicable, remove the animal from the roadway.     "

Thanks for the information Oryx ....  
 
See that is what I meant and the law agrees. I was not trying to blame or anything regarding the logistics of the accident ... just trying to understand the human nature aspect. I understand that unfamiliar animals may seem inconsequential to some, but the expectation to stop and assess an incident is simple human decency IMHO

Years ago my daughter was across the street talking to her mother (my ex) when our cat decided to cross the road to visit her. A passing car ran her over and my daughter chased the car to the lights at the end of the block. She was yelling at the guy that he had hit her cat. The guy drove off like nothing happened. $400 to get her fixed up; blind in one eye, broken jaw, missing teeth. And yes, it was our fault as she was loose outside on a busy street, not the driver's.  
 
She is now 12 years old and the "boss" of the house. Not one of our cats goes near the street, in fact, they won't leave the yard. one won't even leave the house.  
 
My daughter still gets angry when she thinks about how the guy just ignored her and drove off.

Soul said "No, not really.     This morning at approx 720am on the Douglas Road, some wonderful SUV driver hit and killed my nephews and niece's puppy, Donkey. Now, whose responsibility in this accident is not my intent of this post.     What is, however, is to point out how such drivers lacked consideration to stop and show empathy to the family that was just devastated. And they cannot say they did not know, as the family heard the impact from inside.     I just think it is callous actions that now these kids are grieving and the people who hit Donkey did not show an ounce of remorse for their involvement.     Thanks! "

First of all, I'm sorry about the loss of the innocent puppy...No animal should suffer such cruel end.  
 
Second, I believe that anyone who can't even take the second to slow down to save the life of a puppy, should think about if they were in switched positions...like they would expect someone to stop and let them cross...so they should respect the animals also...it's only right!  
 
I don't know what I'd do if my two cats were taken from me, I think I'd have a break down...

to get an apology from the owners of the dog. We don't know the situation and what was going on in the vehicle. Maybe they were travelling to an emergency. Maybe there were kids in the car and if the adult stopped it would be terrible for those kids, maybe the driver is terrified of dogs. Not making any excuses but we don't know the whole story and in my opinion, first fault falls on the owners of the dog (accidental or not). I'd be devistated if I hit someone's dog but can't say for sure that in all circumstances I'd be stopping (esp where my kid's are concerned and if it were a scarry breed dog). JMO.

busymamaof3 said "to get an apology from the owners of the dog. We don't know the situation and what was going on in the vehicle. Maybe they were travelling to an emergency. Maybe there were kids in the car and if the adult stopped it would be terrible for those kids, maybe the driver is terrified of dogs. Not making any excuses but we don't know the whole story and in my opinion, first fault falls on the owners of the dog (accidental or not). I'd be devistated if I hit someone's dog but can't say for sure that in all circumstances I'd be stopping (esp where my kid's are concerned and if it were a scarry breed dog). JMO. "

I am sorry but I disagree with your post, what kind of person are you? You can't stop to help, remove, comfort a poor injured animal? Come on. Not only is it the law, as I had posted before, the OP stated it was a PUPPY for goodness sake.  
 
Because you obviously have no animals and you don't realize that they can get out and on the loose and not everything lies as the owner's fault.  
 
If you hit a person that looked "scary" or "homeless" or like a "thug" would you not stop to help them either because you were in a rush, having an emergency or because you had kids in the car?  
 
It comes down to your morals and values and doing what is right.  
 
Brutal.

of my own and I recently ran over two dogs that ran across the road. To my understanding one had to be put down. It is a tradgedy and not anyones fault. No one should be looking to put blame on someone else. Accidents are accidents. However, as the law states it is your duty to inform someone. Nothing worse than leaving a wounded animal running around, or worse yet, the owner coming out to play with his pet that is missing legs or piled in a pool of blood on the doorstep.

Oryx said "    busymamaof3 said "to get an apology from the owners of the dog. We don't know the situation and what was going on in the vehicle. Maybe they were travelling to an emergency. Maybe there were kids in the car and if the adult stopped it would be terrible for those kids, maybe the driver is terrified of dogs. Not making any excuses but we don't know the whole story and in my opinion, first fault falls on the owners of the dog (accidental or not). I'd be devistated if I hit someone's dog but can't say for sure that in all circumstances I'd be stopping (esp where my kid's are concerned and if it were a scarry breed dog). JMO. " I am sorry but I disagree with your post, what kind of person are you? You can't stop to help, remove, comfort a poor injured animal? Come on. Not only is it the law, as I had posted before, the OP stated it was a PUPPY for goodness sake.     Because you obviously have no animals and you don't realize that they can get out and on the loose and not everything lies as the owner's fault.     If you hit a person that looked "scary" or "homeless" or like a "thug" would you not stop to help them either because you were in a rush, having an emergency or because you had kids in the car?     It comes down to your morals and values and doing what is right.     Brutal. "

dog lover here and he is like my baby but you can't compare person to dog first of all.  
-Yes the puppy should have been leashed or fenced then this wouldn't have happened.  
-Personally I would have stopped and at least attempted to look for owners after I was done crying that is .I would feel like crap even though it wasn't my fault. People panic though.Some people are just jerks too.  
 

that maybe the driver thought that they struck a small animal like a fox, racoon, badger, etc.? I don't know what kind of puppy it was, but people don't normally stop for your average "road kill", if that's what they thought it was. It's not fully light out at 7:20 yet, so it would probably be hard to make out a small animal on the road. Just playing devil's advocate here as it seems unlikely that most people would not stop if they knew they had just run over a little puppy.  
 
I feel terrible for the kids. I know what its like to lose a puppy as a kid, so sad  
 
Edited by Opinionated, 2009-11-18 22:00:30

the driver was in shock. I hit an animal in the spring and it took me a mile to stop at which point I shook and cried for half and hour, and it was a deer! Give them the benefit of the doubt.  
 
 

It does not matter who's fault it was. Why does everyone always have to make every topic into an arguement?? I seen some pretty rude comments on here. I had a cat that was hit in broad daylight and the driver just kept going. He ended up being put down cause of it. It is common courtesy to stop if you hit something. So i guess some of the people on here would just keep going if it was a kid on the road cause it wasn't there fault?? Give your heads a shake. Nobody is saying if the driver was at fault of not just have some respect for the owners of the animal and stop!! Wow I hope none of these people hit anything in their lifetime!