TRURO - Debbie MacDonald hopes no other driver ever has to share the haunting and horrifying experience of killing a dog with their car.
"It shook me up pretty bad," she said of a recent experience that left her crying and shaking at the side of the road. And adding insult to injury was the fact that when the owner came to pick up his dead dog, he would not accept MacDonald's apology or even acknowledge her, except to glare, she said.
"A little bit traumatizing for me," she said, of having to relive the experience each time she drives past the scene.
"Every time I drive by I think about it. And that is my only route out of here .... It just triggers .... you know when you go by the same spot every day."
The area in question is a gravel road within Colchester County and what bothers her most is the sheer senselessness of the animal's death and the danger it poses to motorists.
"You've got to come around a corner and so you automatically slow down anyway," she said, of the area. But when the dogs suddenly appear "out of the blue" it causes motorists to brake and swerve.
"It's been going on for years," she said. "That's a danger to people going by."
Because the problem has been going on for so long without any attempt by the owner to control his dogs, MacDonald said she finally decided to report him to animal control officer Elsie DeBay. What she didn't realize, however, is that such reports must be made on the same day or as quickly as possible in order for the dogcatcher to react.
For DeBay to take action, complainants must acquire a civic address number or a name from a mailbox to accompany their complaint.
And while dogs running at large are not as big a problem here as in some other municipalities, it nonetheless is a concern.
"Dogs are not allowed to run loose," DeBay said, adding many people who live in the country don't understand that such bylaws are in place for both urban and country residents alike.
"A lot of people living in the country think it's fine and dandy to let their dogs run free after dark. But it's not great and fine and dandy if your dog is free because Natural Resources are going to get called and your dog is going to get shot because they aren't allowed to be running free ...."
Dogs that do run at large often end up chasing deer or other wildlife or, as in MacDonald's case, chasing vehicles.
Penalties for such infractions range from written warnings to fines or, ultimately, having the pet put down.
"It depends on what the owner is like to deal with," she said.
"Everything is dealt with on an individual basis ...."
What does open the eyes of many dog owners with problem pets is when they are informed it can be destroyed.
"That gets their attention."
Another common concern stems from dogs left outside to bark incessantly or which run from yard to yard destroying personal property.
"I just don't understand people being so disrespectful and irresponsible, like the owners," she said. "That's what boggles my mind .... And it boils down to being responsible for your pet and being respectful of your neighbours. The same as the running at large."
Owners are also liable should their dog cause damage to another person's property - whether from digging up a neighbour's flowers, pooping on their lawn, or worse. And that includes repairs to a vehicle if your dog should run onto the road and be struck by a motorist. While dog owners get upset and think they can make a driver responsible in such cases, it's actually the other way round, DeBay said.
"Any damage to your vehicle, that dog owner is liable to paint your car, fix your car, whatever. They're responsible because their dog is on the road, their dog is off their property."
hsullivan@trurodaily.com
Country dogs must be controlled like their urban cousins
Country dogs must be controlled like their urban cousins
- Published on August 12th, 2009
- Published on December 31st, 2009
-
Harry Sullivan
- Number of views : 1851
- Rate
- Top of the page
Comments
-
- Homer
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:18:35
Yes lets revert the progress of the legal system, that sound likes quite the utopia.
Makes it easier for people to ridicule away right and wrong in favor of popular opinion.
I know this will sound like a strange question but you are aware country that this IS the 21st century right? -
- Aurora
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:16:43
I feel really bad for Debbie MacDonald. Not only could I not imagine how horrible that must feel, but to have to owner not even take responsibility for his dog being out on the road would only make it that much harder.
Also, I just wanted to say that I met Elsie DeBay when our dog went missing after a vehicle accident a couple years ago. I think that Colchester County is very lucky to have such a wonderful animal control officer. -
- Krista
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:14:07
An all too common occurance.
Just this past Saturday, while leaving the Super Store, a dog was off-leash, running full tilt down Court Street; crossed the road and keep going. While waiting at the lights, the owner came strolling down the side walk calling the dog, who was then, out of site.
Or, on College Rd, near the junior high, where a black lab keeps running out on the road. Last year, the same dog ran out in front of me. Thank goodness, I got stopped in time, but the next time, I might not be so lucky.
And...don't get me started on dogs barking half the night. I had a neighbor that let their dog out at all hours, just to let it bark. A few calls to them a 3am helped solve that issue
My feeling is, if you don't care enough about you pet to look after it properly, then don't have it.
Oh....I have both cats and dogs. My feelings run the same for both. Cats shouldn't be allowed to run free either, and, for goodness sake. Don't put them out for the night! (tell that to my neighbour who ended up with a blue cat one morning (food coloring) after more than a month of it howling beneath my window!) -
- Homer
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:11:05
That's the spirit Krista. Paint that cat blue. Torture that dumb animal because it's owner would not control it.
Must have been a very proud moment for you!! -
- Homer
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:10:22
Sarah
So we should make the assumption that the animal is not susceptible to mental torture?
Help me out Sarah what should that be based on?? -
- county
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:07:49
homer , your a fool , its fools like you to blame for the young offenders act ., people suing over hot coffee , and lawyers taking over our society turning every one into anal retentive sue happy boobs .
-
- Caren
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:07:37
For most, pets are an extension of the family. My pets are part of my family and I would never senselessly endanger their lives by not protecting them from the dangers of the road. I, too, have had the unfortunately experience of hitting and killing a dog that appeared out of nowhere and it left me, and my children, feeling the same as Ms. MacDonald. It was a horrifying experience, and one I never want to endure again. I don't think it's too much to ask of responsible pet owners to keep their animals safe, as well as the road ways. Serious accidents can occur when good-hearted people try to avoid animals on the road. How would the pet owner feel if Ms. MacDonald had been seriously hurt trying to avoid his dog in the middle of the road? Would he expect her family to accept his apology?
-
- sarah
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:05:26
Homer - Krista did NOT torture the cat. She threw food coloured water at it to stop it from howling around her house.
A - the food colour is non-toxic and B - using water to deter a cat, or any aminal, is a harmless way to teach it that some behaviours are inappropriate. -
- D
- - January 18th, 2010 at 09:55:42
To the last 4 comments, why is it that things go way off track. Its gone beyond the subject, instead you guys are attacking each other's comments & each other. So sad.
-
- S
- - January 18th, 2010 at 09:55:34
I have been attacked by a dog that was not tied and I ended up with five stitches in my arm..not pleasant. My advice to pet owners..tie your dog..I was just fortunate it was my arm he got and not my face. I had to fight with them to put the dog down and the ironic part is he had done in before...use your head people! I am a huge animal lover and it would kill me to have to put my animal down but if it ever bit someone...as hard as it would be to do it I would.
