Would you sue someone who hit your pet with their car?

[luv2sparkle]

No, I wouldn't sue. I didn't sue when someone hit my kid and broke two legs requiring five surgeries. I love my dog, but I wouldn't
sue.

 

[Gypsy]

No. Not if my animal got away from me an bolted into the street. On the other hand I would be PISSED if the person didn't stop and ask about the pet's health and at least offer assistance. It doesn't have to be money, it can just be a ride to the vet or a phone call to the vet or something. IF I hit someone's animal I know I would stop and I also know I'd offer to pay at least part of vet expenses. That's just me. If a kid runs out into the street and I hit the kid, I'd have responsibilties and for me pets are people's short furry kids. Just because our laws are obviously more protective of children than they are of animals doesn't mean that *I* don't hold myself to the golden rule of treating others as I'd like to be treated.

THAT SAID... irresponsible pet ownership is the cause of most of these accidents.

When we lived in NJ all the little dog owners used to let their dogs run about in their front yards off leash-- and these were active little yippy dogs, not sedate elderly ones just watching the scenery. If you have an electronic fence, that's fine. But these people didn't. I think that's irresponsible pet ownership because you are risking your dog running into the street. Especially since the cost of an electronic fence is easily what the vet bills would be if the dog got hit! Or... keep your dog on a leash in the front yard.

It's like the dog shrinks in size and people forget it's a DOG. Would you let your 2 year old run around your front yard unsupervised? NO. Do you think your dog is SMARTER than a two year old? I hope not, cause you are wrong if you think so. It's like the dogs are small so they are somehow less of a bolt threat??? I've never seen people with German Shepherds or Dobermans or Rotties just leave their dogs be in thier front yards without a leash or some type or barrier. Although, to be fair, I've seen many an old chubby old golden just laying out on the porch. But short of food or a good rub most of those dogs couldn't be bothered to move a muscle let alone bolt into the street,

As for cats. You let your cat outside, you risk the cats life. I don't let my cats out. And wouldn't care if the yowled and created a ruckus... they would not get out. But, if I had a cat that just 'had' to be outside I'd spend the money to make an enclosed area for the cat that's safe or invest in an electronic fence for the cat too. Still not a good option in my opinion because other cats can get in and you risk infection and injury from territory fights AND you've restricted your cats escape routes and effectively trapped them. BUT I do know that combined with a pet door that allows only the tagged animal back into the house which creates an escape route for your cat, the combination has been workable for some people I know. I give them credit for their efforts. My cats still aren't getting out.

 

[Imdanny]

My cat isn't getting out either. Life in a gilded cage with a servant for her. Tough.

 

[Gypsy]

Oh, and I forgot the best part of the little dogs being off leash. When we would walk our dogs (shepherds both) on leash these badly trained and illmannered overindulged little dogs would run up and start snapping, yipping and nipping at our dogs. And the owners wouldn't do anything.

We were very lucky that neither of our dogs was dog agressive, but it boggled my mind that the little dog owners thought this was acceptable. Especially since we had some seriously BIG and hardheaded breeds in our neighborhood that WERE dog aggressive if attacked and the owners of those dogs had to muzzle theirs because the small dog owners couldn't leash their dogs. Just wrong.

I gotta say, I know we have a lot of small dog owners on here and I HOPE that PS small dog owners are more responsible and smarter about their dogs than the ones I've met in real life. I don't particularly care for small dogs, but I know that's because they are usually illtrained and bad mannered because their owners let them get away with it.

My best friend is nicknamed the dog whisperer. She's an amazing animal trainer (doesn't do it for money, but her family runs a rescue so she's been around dogs and dog training all her life) and it took 8 months but she did manage to teach manners and discipline to another friend's really pesty and annoying pommerainian. And she also trained the owner in how to be alpha and consistent. That's the only little dog I like as a result.

 

[kenny]

I don't particularly care for small dogs, but I know that's because they are usually illtrained and bad mannered because their owners let them get away with it.

OUCH.

 

[risingsun]

We have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are smallish, weighing about 20 lbs. He is never off leash, unless he is in a fenced in yard. He has been through obedience training and earned his Canine Good Citizen Award from the AKC. We do not trust that he would not run out into the street, training or not. We keep spare leashes handy for dogs who are not supervised or who manage to get out of their yards and run through invisible fencing. Most people are grateful that we keep their dogs safe and call and tell them we have their dogs. Two of our neighbors seem oblivious to their runaways. We will keep catching them to keep both the dogs and others from harm. I don't understand the attitude of a dog owner who has this happen on a regular basis. Sometimes, when a pet is hit by a car, it truly is an accident. Sometimes it's negligence. I saw a neighbor's dog run into the street and get hit and killed by a vehicle. It was awful. The family's son was watching the dog and took her off leash. The boy and the driver were devastated. Money could never fix what happened.

 

[zoebartlett]

As awful as it would be for me, I'd assume the person who hit my pet would feel horrible too. I wouldn't feel right suing him/her.

 

[iugurl]

I can't imagine why in the world anyone would sue someone for hitting their pet. It would be one thing if they drove onto your lawn and hit your pet, but in the road? I would be so angry if someone sued me, I would counter sue them right back for damages. I'm sorry, but this is right up there with people suing McDonalds for their weight gain. I can't imagine anyone would win. You let the dogs in the road (by not having a fence or having them on a leash) so someone else is responsible? Really? This makes me so mad just thinking about. And to whomever said that it is so wrong to sue for damages, I think it certain situations it might not be. For example, you are driving and suddenly, a 170 lb. Mastiff runs into the road. That would probably cause some serious damage to your car. Are you supposed to pay for it out of pocket or file it with insurance and have your rates skyrocket? Or what if you hit a cow, who ran (idk if cows ever really run but oh well ) in the road, that would seriously mess up your car. You would not expect the farmer to pay for your damage?

I would be heartbroken if I killed any animal. However, I do not feel responsible, assuming I did not aim for the dog/cat. Most driving instructors tell students do not swerve if you see an animal. It is far better to hit the animal than swerve and kill oncoming traffic. Even slamming on your brakes can be a no-no as people behind you may slam right into you. I would try to brake or even swerve if I had the time to look and make sure I would not be jeopardizing a humans life. I wish I could understand why someone would feel as though it is the drivers fault

 

[Gypsy]

We have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are smallish, weighing about 20 lbs. He is never off leash, unless he is in a fenced in yard. He has been through obedience training and earned his Canine Good Citizen Award from the AKC. We do not trust that he would not run out into the street, training or not. We keep spare leashes handy for dogs who are not supervised or who manage to get out of their yards and run through invisible fencing. Most people are grateful that we keep their dogs safe and call and tell them we have their dogs. Two of our neighbors seem oblivious to their runaways. We will keep catching them to keep both the dogs and others from harm. I don't understand the attitude of a dog owner who has this happen on a regular basis. Sometimes, when a pet is hit by a car, it truly is an accident. Sometimes it's negligence. I saw a neighbor's dog run into the street and get hit and killed by a vehicle. It was awful. The family's son was watching the dog and took her off leash. The boy and the driver were devastated. Money could never fix what happened.

Palo Alto's Stanford Shopping Center is dog friendly and sometimes when I go there this one couple with a CKCS is there. She is one of the best trained dogs I've ever been around. And an gorgeous little angel. So beautiful.

I love it when small dogs are well trained, they are a joy to be around.

Unfortunately it has been my experience that most small dogs don't know even the most basic manners or commands (quiet, heel, sit, stay, drop it, come). Or if they do know the commands their owners are so inconsistent with them that they don't listen half the time.

If I wanted a 15 pound fur ball that didn't listen to a thing I said, was cute, independant and headstrong I'd get a cat. Oh wait... I have 5.

 

[Pandora II]

Hmm, small yappy badly behaved little dogs.... make me start wondering if my pythons could do with a little variation in their diet...

 

[risingsun]

We have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are smallish, weighing about 20 lbs. He is never off leash, unless he is in a fenced in yard. He has been through obedience training and earned his Canine Good Citizen Award from the AKC. We do not trust that he would not run out into the street, training or not. We keep spare leashes handy for dogs who are not supervised or who manage to get out of their yards and run through invisible fencing. Most people are grateful that we keep their dogs safe and call and tell them we have their dogs. Two of our neighbors seem oblivious to their runaways. We will keep catching them to keep both the dogs and others from harm. I don't understand the attitude of a dog owner who has this happen on a regular basis. Sometimes, when a pet is hit by a car, it truly is an accident. Sometimes it's negligence. I saw a neighbor's dog run into the street and get hit and killed by a vehicle. It was awful. The family's son was watching the dog and took her off leash. The boy and the driver were devastated. Money could never fix what happened.

Palo Alto's Stanford Shopping Center is dog friendly and sometimes when I go there this one couple with a CKCS is there. She is one of the best trained dogs I've ever been around. And an gorgeous little angel. So beautiful.

I love it when small dogs are well trained, they are a joy to be around.

Unfortunately it has been my experience that most small dogs don't know even the most basic manners or commands (quiet, heel, sit, stay, drop it, come). Or if they do know the commands their owners are so inconsistent with them that they don't listen half the time.

If I wanted a 15 pound fur ball that didn't listen to a thing I said, was cute, independant and headstrong I'd get a cat. Oh wait... I have 5.

Thank you for your comments, Gypsy! We were told when we bought Charlie that he had the spaniel instinct to run after cats, squirrels, etc. Even with the best of training, he is kept on his leash unless he is in a fenced in area. Although I haven't seen it, cavaliers can be trained to be hunting dogs. In our house our kitten, Liza, has been known to chase Charlie around the house. She also will give him a good smack, now and then. He attempts to show his dominance by licking her ears and head

 

[reader]

I am the neighbor who will call animal control on the ones who let them run. On my mail routes, I have seen dogs hit, and had to trace out the vet's offices to come get the dogs because the only tag is a rabies tag. I've seen dogs attack cats, and had them come into my yard more than once and try to kill (one did succeed) my fenced and caged in rabbits. I have heard every excuse in the book as to why the dog lurves to be off leash, and its his right to be.
I did hit a dog once, and he ran away so there was no way I could find the owner.
Since then, I see your dog off leash once, I take it to your house. I see it a second time, I take it to the pound. Ithink its less cruel for the pound to put an animal down than to see it dying in a gutter.

 

[reader]

The above rant having been made, I now have a happy story. One of my friends is a college student in Rhode Island. She found a horribly abused pit bull mix puppy that was being given away. This dog is now the most well trained animal you ever seen. One day, her apartment complex flooded, and there was no way to walk the dog. She took her dog to the front step, gave it a command to go potty on the spot. She wrapped the stuff in a couple of plastic bags, and gave the dog the command to pick up the mess. The dog picked it up, understood the send command, and swam across the parking lot to the dumpster (it had an open lid). She called out a climb command and the dog climbed the dumpster and then dropped the bag into the dumpster when told to do so. He then swam the parking lot and came back into the house.
She still usually only has him off leash for training sessions.

 

[reader]

The above rant having been made, I now have a happy story. One of my friends is a college student in Rhode Island. She found a horribly abused pit bull mix puppy that was being given away. This dog is now the most well trained animal you ever seen. One day, her apartment complex flooded, and there was no way to walk the dog. She took her dog to the front step, gave it a command to go potty on the spot. She wrapped the stuff in a couple of plastic bags, and gave the dog the command to pick up the mess. The dog picked it up, understood the send command, and swam across the parking lot to the dumpster (it had an open lid). She called out a climb command and the dog climbed the dumpster and then dropped the bag into the dumpster when told to do so. He then swam the parking lot and came back into the house.
She still usually only has him off leash for training sessions.

 

[afreebird]

I don't particularly care for small dogs, but I know that's because they are usually illtrained and bad mannered because their owners let them get away with it.

OUCH.

Oh god, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but this is so true of me. I got both my itty bitties before I met my husband and did an inconsistent job training them. Well, more like a horrible job NOT training them. I never trained them to even 'come.' If they don't come when I want them to, I will walk over to them and pick them up and bring them where I want them. My husband just shakes his head.

Our big dogs are trained and have magnificent manners. I owe that all to my husband. I shudder to think of how they would have turned out if I had been the sole disciplinarian.