OMG I Just Ran Over A Cat!

[married2grumpy]

OK...I don't have any pets nor have I ever ran over an animal...yet. I do love both cats and dogs but do feel that regardless of whether the owner lets them run loose or not, people don't seem as inclined to stop for a cat as for a dog. I've even seen people with bumper stickers stating something about running cats over for fun. Some people think of running over a cat as almost the same as running over a squirrel. There is a big difference. People should stop, if possible, to see if the animal has a tag or collar to call the owners. I saw a cat on the side of the road once (it was alive but wandering). This was a very busy road and I wanted to stop but truly couldn't. I cried the whole way home because I did not turn around to see if I could somehow get him into my car so he wouldn't get hit. I think some people have more compassion for living things than others.

As I said, I don't have any pets. When I am able to add the responsibility of a pet to my hectic life I will. Pets are a big responsibility. It takes more than just an occassional petting and regular feedings to be a responsible pet owner. I could not allow my kids to become attached to a pet, cat or dog, and then let it wander the neighborhood waiting for the next "accident" to happen. It's heartbreaking for all involved.

 

[MosMom]

Yep, I knew I'd get bashed for replying.

I don't think you would have been bashed if you didn't do your fair share of bashing yourself. Giving someone who hits a cat that runs out in front of the car a hard time seems a little odd to me. Especially when she said she couldn't stop. When the owner lets the cat run free and KNOWS that being hit is a very real possibility. Not to mention, a danger to other drivers as well. What if someone was riding her tail when she hit the brakes for a cat? She could have been hit and injured as well all because someone is irresponsible with their animals. She posted here saying she was feeling bad about it and you gave her a hard time. I think all differing opinions are fine but if you can give yours, others can give theirs too.

 

[Robmom]

I feel sorry for you. I, too, was one of those cat owners who let their cat roam free. And yes, he was hit by a car and killed. I knew it would happen one day. He was the kind of cat that did not want to stay in at all. For the first year and a half, I was able to keep him inside, which was not an easy task. One time he escaped and we were never able to keep him in anymore. He would knock over or rip stuff just to make us open the door. Of course I feel very guilty over it, because I knew he would get hit one day, but I really couldn't control him and I certainly did not want to give him away because the family loved him. So, I can understand some of the cat owners that do let their cats out. Sometimes we just don't have a choice. It just may not be the choice we want. Now, I have a guinea pig that stays in a cage safe in the house.

 

[julie_yet]

Aww, I'm so sorry. I was in the passenger's seat when my brother hit a puppy on a busy street. It freaked me out so bad he had to stop the car and calm me down. I thought we'd run it over but in fact it hit the side of the bumper and got knocked out of the street where my brother said it ran off.
It was the second dog to get hit on that street in a week. The other one had not been so lucky.

I am one of those cat owners that let my kitty run free. We live in a fairly quite suburban neighborhood but I think it would be different if I lived close to a major highway. He was an indoor/outdoor cat that went out whether we let him out or not (he could open the doors to let himself in or out). There's no way we could've kept him inside all the time. He would've gone crazy and taken us with him. He was hit be a car once. He survived with only a broken leg. But I was never angry with the driver since it was probably an accident.

My sister has a cat that she tried to keep inside all the time. It was a holy terror, demon cat until it escaped and was allowed to roam free for the first time in it's life. Now he comes and goes as he pleases and it much sweeter to everyone.

 

[MHopkins2]

Now he comes and goes as he pleases and is much sweeter to everyone.

Great, he's sweeter now - which they'll miss him all that much more when he gets killed. I fail to understand anyone who lets their cats roam, sorry.

 

[Pete's Mom]

I am sorry that poohlover is getting bashed here. I re-read her thread and didn't see where she blamed anyone for her kitten getting run over. She was just upset that the person who did it did not stop to tell her. That's just common courtesy, like the idiot who took out my mailbox the other day and kept driving.

Look people, I think we all agree that this is a risk that any pet owner takes when they let their pet run free, but I think poohlover probably feels bad enough, okay?

Now, as for myself I have two cats that are strictly indoor because I do not want to take that risk. That's my choice.

Here is my big beef. My inconsiderate neighbors let their huge lab run the neighborhood freely and chase cars. My neighbor bragged that our neighborhood was "cat free" because of this dog.

My son couldn't ride his bike in our own driveway and I live on 3 acres, because this dog thought he owned the neighborhood.

We had a little altercation in my carport about 4 months ago. The dog would not let me and Pete get into my car in my own carport and growled at us and would not leave. I snapped, put Pete in the house and I chased that dog with a shovel all the way to my property line and I am not ashamed to say I got a few good hits in. For about a week afterwards, that dog would see my car coming down the road and run the other way. I complained to my neighbor who said he would not own a dog that he had to keep chained to his house. I told him if that if his dog bit me or my son, I would take him to court and he would not have house to chain it too. The dog has since "disappeared". Not sure what happened, but I am thankful to not have to look both ways before I step outside my door and that I don't have to worry about Pete getting attacked when he rides his bike.

 

[MHopkins2]

What a jerk neighbor, PM!!

 

[Pete's Mom]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
What a jerk neighbor, PM!!

Yeah, with my luck he will get a pitbull, rottweiler mix for Christmas!

note to self - get bigger shovel

 

[jrmasm]

Pete's Mom, your neighbor is a jerk and an irresponsible pet owner. I don't think that anyone would argue that! I also think everyone would agree that the dog should be kept on it's own property (fence, chain, whatever). This is exactly why leash laws exist to protect people, animals and property. What people seem to not know or ignore is that in many municipalities, cats are also covered by leash laws for the same reason. They destroy other peoples' property, fight with and kill other animals and can very noisy thus disturbing others. As a dog owner, I find this to very frustrating.

Another thing that I don't understand (admittedly, I've never had a cat) is how it is more difficult to keep a 12-15 cat inside a house than it is 1 or 2 or 3 etc. 90 lb dogs. Also, if you love your cat, why take the chance that it will get smooshed if it's allowed to roam free?? One of my dogs wouldn't harm anyone (unless it is a feline) if she was loose but she's really, really dumb so I have no doubt that she'd be hit by a car if she were running the neighborhood. If the LAW wasn't enough reason for me to take measures to keep her on my propery, this fact certainly would be! Would she be "happier" running around, probably judging by her reaction to Santa riding on a fire truck down my street last night, but I know better and take precautions to protect her.

 

[KrnB]

Pete's Mom - sounds like a dog in my parents' neighborhood. That dog needs to be locked away because he is mean and is attacking people for no reason. Dogs like that shouldn't be pets if they can't be trained to know the difference between an intruder and someone who is just in the neighborhood on their own land.

I also agree with you that Poohlover was trying to make a good point that whenever possible an attempt should be made to let the owner know that something happened. Sometimes you can't, but if there is a way to let them know and you can figure out whose pet it is, it's the right thing to do.

Poohlover - I'm so glad your children didn't have to see your kitty like that. That would be so awful for them. I'm sure it was bad enough for you. I can't even imagine.

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by jrmasm
Another thing that I don't understand (admittedly, I've never had a cat) is how it is more difficult to keep a 12-15 cat inside a house than it is 1 or 2 or 3 etc. 90 lb dogs.

It's harder than you'd think. Cats (on average) are sneakier than dogs, and quicker to "pounce" on any opportunity. They are also harder to train, because they don't have the same pack instinct that dogs do. But it CAN be done - it just takes patience and work, more with some cats than others.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I'm so sorry that happened to you.
I hit a cat once too, it was early morning and I was on my way to work. The cat ran out into the road from a bean field so I never even saw it coming. Poor little thing. I felt horrible but there wasn't anything I could do about it. I even brake if I see a little squirrel heading toward the road. DH keeps telling me I shouldn't because another car might hit ME if I hit my brakes hard to avoid hitting a squirrel or other animal...but I can't help it!! I don't want to hit any little animal, ever!!

 

[jrmasm]

Cats (on average) are sneakier than dogs, and quicker to "pounce" on any opportunity.

Ha!!!! You should have seen the dumb dog last night when Santy Claus was coming down the street. She's much stronger than me and she really wanted out, tried very hard to escape. Wasn't sure if she wanted to personally deliver her list to the fat man or if she wanted to eat him!!! Thank goodness the other dog is old and was off sleeping somewhere or we might have gotten to see how fast Santa could run! jk!

But it CAN be done - it just takes patience and work, more with some cats than others.

Glad to hear it. Based on a few of the earlier posts, you would think it was impossible!

 

[catsrule]

I'm so sorry, but you know you didn't mean it and there was nothing you could do. I hit a dog once, darted right out in front of me. I wasn't going fast, saw it coming from the corner of my eye, slammed on the brakes, and I still hit it. It too ran off. I was upset for days too. Sometimes, it happens and there is nothing you can do. Hope you feel better.

 

[airhead]

will also help keep them from wanting to roam. A neutered cat/dog is much more content to stay indoors.

 

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by perdidobay
I agree with airhead....if you REALLY love your pets...you won't let them run loose...cats included.

Ditto

 

[Disfan1]

Thanks for your thoughts. When I picked up DS from school, I looked in the same area to see if the body was lying somewhere so I could call Animal Control (Thanks for the suggestion Poohlover) but there wasn't one. I had never noticed this before, but there is an apartment complex right there near the road. Hopefully the little guy was able to go get help at those apartments. I feel better but still

 

[julie_yet]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
Great, he's sweeter now - which they'll miss him all that much more when he gets killed. I fail to understand anyone who lets their cats roam, sorry.

All I'm saying is they can't keep him inside. They just can't. They tried and he won't have it.

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by julie_yet
All I'm saying is they can't keep him inside. They just can't. They tried and he won't have it.

I don't want to get into a fight with you over a cat that isn't even yours so I'll just say this... Have them PM me if they want to try, and I'll be more than happy to share all the training info I can find.

 

[Lanshark]

When people risk their animals lives by letting them roam free this type of thing is bound to happen. I feel horrible for the animal and equally bad for the person who hits them.