Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Can anyone answer that question?

If was raised by another thread and it started me thinking - so at the op's request I am starting a new topic.

The poster in the original topic was very critical of a truck driver for not stopping to help a dog he (the truck driver) had hit, and claims he (or she) would have stopped regardless of circs: but presumably that poster has never been in, and lacks the empathy to envisage, a situation where being late for a delivery might have endangered his job and the welfare of his family. But even if you do stop, what do you do?

It happened to me - a very large dog ran out of a side road straight into the side of my car - no way I could have been blamed for the accident And yes, I stopped - fortunately for safety other traffic I was able to pull into a garage forecourt, but by the time |I had got out of the car the dog had run away - so fast I had no chance to catch it but could only hope that if it could move at that speed it could not have been badly hurt. But what could I have done if it had been injured. After dark and Vets surgeries closed, too heavy for me to lift, even if I was prepared to risk a bad biteor scratch from a frightened, and perhaps diseased animal. Even if I could get a Vet at that time of night could I afford the fees, who was going to nurse the animal, and if I did how was I to keep it away from my own three dogs, and clean and disinfect a car contaminated by blood and other body fluids of a possible diseased dog. And if it was cured, assuming no one claimed it, what was to happen to it then. Was I responsible for its care for possibly l0 years or more because of an accident which was not my fault?

Obviously hitting an animal unintentionally is one of the nightmares of any responsible driver, and no one wants to leave a dead or dying animal at the side or the road. But we have to accept the country we live in as it is and
there is no equivalent of th RSPCA or Blue Cross to help in these circumstances.

I did suggest, as a result of an earlier post where the poster was "lumbered" with an injured animal at an "unsocial" hour, that people might get together for mutual help in the event of their own or a stray animal needing more care than an individual was able to give,, but there was no response. So apparently it is easier to crticise others, without being in possession of all the facts, and boast about ones own superiority, than face the fact there is a problem?

Obviously, apart from the above, this is a lesson for owners to ensure their dogs have identity tags, so at least they can be identified and contacted in the event of an accident, but collars can be slipped and microchipping does not help when there is no data base. Another problem which needs addressing?

I don't have time at the moment to discuss this at length because it really is a problem then any of us could face at any time. But what I will say, and I write it everytime I read on forums of lost or strayed dogs, please, please make sure that all dogs have a contact number on them. Time and time again we read pleas from owners or people finding a stray and they put "he/she is wearing a red collar". What good is that to anyone I ask? Once upon a time it was rare for a local to put a collar on but at least they are starting to do that, but without a name and contact number they are useless.

I agree, Sophie, and my dogs wear not just tags with contact number but the discs issued with their registration in the hope that it will help if the dog is lost and reported to the Police or Beledeye. But it only reduces the risk. Collars can be slipped - in fact it is often the reason the dog goes walkabout in the first place.

PS Particularly if you dog is dark coloured it is also worth considering reflective collars (and leads if you walk them in the dark). Unfortunately the ones I have found so far are not very good quality and dont last long.

Rose-An excellent and well thought out post as always,I see you are a Dog lover with empathy and see the other point of view.
I didn't post a reply on the previous post that you referred to as it was clear the OP was very blinkered.
In fact as you may have noted I was castigated for daring to stray from the question as to what had happened to the dog in question.
I wouldn't have replied if the post had been a simple question as in 'What happened to the dog that was knocked down in Esentepe'- but the OP then launched into a bout of abuse directed at the lorry driver and it was those comments that prompted my response- otherwise I would not have posted in defence of the driver that I felt was unfairly judged.
I suspected if I had replied again ,I too would be subject to abuse and expletives.
What made it worse is that the dog in question was in the care apparently of people who had recently lost a dog.
You would think they would be more careful(by putting the dog on a lead) but it's a sad fact that some people cannot cope with the responsibilities of pet ownership.
According to the original post, the dog was being attended to by it's careless owners,so nothing would have been gained as far as I can see by the driver becoming involved-he probably didn't speak English and realised nothing constructive would be gained,and he did stop,and obviously could see the animal was being attended to-the fact that he was checking his truck maybe relates to the fact that any damage would be deducted from his wages.
I agree animal welfare comes second place here,but a guy trying to earn a living does not deserve abuse because a careless owner can't be bothered to control their pet.
As I said In my post on the other thread-where would he be if he slammed his brakes on,skidded, and killed someone.
I am an animal lover, but not blinkered to the extent when animals come before people.
Pets are great,and if you are a caring owner,good company.
But they (In my opinion) will not succeed people in terms of importance.
Keep up the great posts Rose!

Thanks Philoz: I did indeed start a new thread because I realised continuing the one in question might lead to abuse.

It is easy for me to see both points of view here because I am both a driver and a dog owner. I was also involved in motor insurance to a small extent at one time in the UK and though it was a long time ago and in another country I am aware that then a driver would have been legally at fault if he had caused an accident with another car by braking sharply or swerving to avoid an animal. There was some interesting correspondence in the technical insurance press about whether this was fair as it is a human instinct to avoid anything animate.

It should also be pointed out that if involved in an accident (whether or not stopping to care for an animal or any other reason) one should always check ones vehicle to ensure it has not been made unsafe so as to pose a risk to oneself and othe road users - that is not being callous it is being responsible.

I do have a bit more sympathy for the dog's owners - we are all commenting without knowing all the facts, but I got the impression they had only very recently decided to adopt it and it may not have had time to buy it collars and leads etc., let alone train it, They may not even have intended to take it a walk - it could just have followed them. I have this problem - often when I walk my dogs (on a lead) I end up like the pied paper with neighbours's dogs and strays tagging along. Not only is it impossible to control them all, but it makes it harder to keep my own (ie those for which I have accepted responsibilty)safe and in training.

I am sorry there has been so little response. As Sophie says, it is a problem that could affect most* of us at any time, and it is also a source of potential unnecessary conflict, so it would be so much better if people could get together for mutual help rather than just criticising others. As for putting people before dogs or vice versa, I increasinly agree with whoever said (was it Byron?) "the more I see of people the more I like my dog"

*most, NOT all, not everyone is fortunate enough to afford a car and/or to keep dogs, and some of us are struggling with the costs of both, and cant manage the exras involved in repairs and Vets fees involved in an accident with a loose dog.