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Original poster

I just ran over a dog and I'm distraught

15 replies

Orangelover · 03/10/2018 18:38

As it says really. Was just driving home from an errand and a little dog shot out of the road and straight under my wheels. It was a 30 mph road and I was probably doing the speed limit. It was quite busy around and loads of people saw it. His little body literally went crunch under my wheels Sad

The owner came and scooped him up, I stopped straight away but she ran off screaming with him in her arms. Loads of people were shouting abuse at me (bit of a chavvy area..) but there was a lady around who was with the dog owner was arranging a lift to an emergency vet. I told her it was me that had ran him over and that I was so sorry. She said it wasn't my fault, he had just shot out of the front door and into the road, he wasn't on a lead or anything Sad I asked if there was anything I could do and offered them a lift to a vet if they needed one but someone then turned up in a car and they all got in.

I feel so terrible but there was nothing I could do. As a pet owner I feel sick that I've harmed a dog, but I just couldn't avoid him Sad

I've rang 101 and reported it just incase in the stress and confusion the owner didn't realise I'd stopped.

It was horrific Sad

OP posts:
Bodear · 03/10/2018 18:40

I’m so sorry for you. Have you got someone with you? I’d be distraught Flowers

DiveBombingSeagull · 03/10/2018 18:42

Oh you poor thing, I too would be absolutely distraught.

Be kind to yourself, it was an accident and there was nothing you could do Flowers

RatRolyPoly · 03/10/2018 18:46

Oh my gosh, how awful for all of you, you poor thing. Are you home alone? Anyone to keep you company? Lots of positives self-care for you tonight; sweet tea, cosy blanket and someone to see through the worst of the shock with if you can. You couldn't have done anything any differently, even if you could do it all over again.

user1471531631 · 03/10/2018 18:48

A horrible experience for you, but it was an accident - there was nothing you could do to prevent it. Take care of yourself; hope you have someone to comfort you and help you deal with the shock.

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 03/10/2018 18:49

You poor thing, a little dog ran out from nowhere in front of me once, I was fortunate and just managed to miss it, that alone really shook me up so you must feel like that x 100 so you really have my sympathies. It was not your fault Flowers

spanishwife · 03/10/2018 18:52

I'm so sorry, but as others have said, it was a mistake that could not have been avoided in any way. Afterwards you did everything exactly right which is the important thing. Don't be hard on yourself.

GreenMeerkat · 03/10/2018 18:55

Oh gosh this is one of my worst nightmares.

You did absolutely the right thing by stopping and trying to help. Better than just driving off.

I'm so sorry. What an awful thing to happen Thanks

Nesssie · 03/10/2018 18:59

It was not your fault. And I am saying this as someone who’s puppy got hit by a car and died. The most horrific thing that has ever happened and I will probably never get over it.
BUT the driver was not speeding or driving without attention. She bolted and there was nothing that could be done. I do not blame the driver and I can’t imagine how she, or you, must have felt.

You’ve done all you can now. Flowers

Pusheenicorn · 03/10/2018 19:02

This is one of my biggest fears since learning to drive... And I always slow down if I spy a dog not on a lead just in case it makes a dart for something.

Agree though, it wasn't you're fault and I hope the owner can see that. Definitely look after yourself and don't beat yourself up, unfortunatly these accidents do happen.

Do they think the dog will be okay? I hope they have insurance.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/10/2018 19:05

It's horrible - I had that happen with a cat once, he just shot out into the path of my car before I had time to react, he was dead by the time I'd stopped the car and run back to lift him out of the road. I was in bits by the time I'd asked around the area and found the owner - I wasn't going to just leave the poor, silly puss lying there.

The dog should have been 'under close control' anywhere near traffic.

Fiffyshadesofgreymatter · 03/10/2018 19:09

This was not your fault. That won't stop you feeling absolutely horrible and upset, but once you're over the shock keep reminding yourself that this wasn't under your control and there was nothing you could do.

You stopped, you offered help. You've reacted really well on an awful situation, especially feeling a little under threat from people shouting at you. You did everything you could.

Original poster
Orangelover · 04/10/2018 01:37

Thanks for your kind messages mumsnetters it has made me feel a bit better. I'm actually on a night shift tonight and I really didn't want to come (was on the way to get snacks when the incident happened!) but I admit it has taken my mind off it. My mum ended up driving me to work though because I was shaken.

Just kept thinking about how I'd feel if it was my little cat Sad OH reminded me that he'd actually have to get up off the sofa and go out to get ran over..

Hope the poor little dog didn't suffer too long Sad

OP posts:
BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 04/10/2018 22:46

Glad you are feeling a bit better now, what a dreadful experience. You never know the dog may have survived, if not the vet will have dealt with it very quickly and will have stopped any suffering as quickly as possible.

NatureGal · 04/10/2018 23:02

Sympathies OP, its a horrific experience. I hope you realise there was nothing you could of done. I sadly ran over a customers dog in their driveway (postie), it was very old, deaf and blind and it ran under the van when I was reversing in their driveway, didn't see it, just heard the awful sound. Jumped out, fetched owners, then dog, tried to take to vet, but they wouldn't let me, he was a GP. The rest of the family just screamed and yelled at me, I was a sobbing mess and ordered off drive. I had to go home I was so shaken and upset, I have my own dogs too. They did try to claim against me and my employer too as poor dog died. Delivered there for five years, never once saw the dog. I hope you feel better soon.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 09/10/2018 14:45

I am so sorry for you - I ran over a cat (on my motorbike) years ago who did the same thing - just ran out and I can still feel it. When I came to a halt, I went back to look for it but it had disappeared - I am certain its injuries were fatal and I will never forget it. BUT it was totally unavoidable (I was going about 7mph and it ran out about 6 feet in front of me between 2 parked cars). You get over the horror in time and you know you couldn't have done anything differently but I am sorry it happened to you too.

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