WWYD...A Dog on the Side of the Interstate....

[wvdisluv2]

I'm never sure what to do....my DH and I have stopped in the past and rescued 2 labs running on the interstate. Today I was alone and saw a large dog running near the interstate....I didn't stop, but I worry about a dog running into traffic because I've stopped and called it...what would you do? I'm more apt to stop for a dog with a visable collar...this one didn't have one I'm never sure what to do

 

[wvdisluv2]

Wow....NOBODY stops for a dog Geez

 

[CathrynRose]

I dont know. I guess it just depends on the entire situation.

I've stopped for dogs before, too.

 

[Tiggeroo]

stopping on interstates can be dangerous due to the speed of traffic. If you couldn't safely stop I would at least call the state police. I have done this.

 

[wvdisluv2]

I dont know. I guess it just depends on the entire situation.

I've stopped for dogs before, too.

Phew! I was starting to think we were the only ones who did this

stopping on interstates can be dangerous due to the speed of traffic. If you couldn't safely stop I would at least call the state police. I have done this.

I agree Tiggeroo~safety must always come first I worry about pulling off the interstate during heavy rain due to someone hydroplaning

 

[Luv Bunnies]

A couple of years ago in California, a mom stopped her minivan on the side of the freeway to try to rescue a dog that was running loose. She left her kids in the car and got out to try to call the dog. A driver who didn't see that she was stopped smashed into the back of the parked minivan. Two kids were hurt and a 12 year old boy sitting in the very back seat was killed.

After the accident, the police stressed that it is never safe to stop on a freeway, highway or interstate unless absolutely necessary (i.e. you car stalls or you get a flat). Stopping for a dog is never a good idea. If you see a dog, you should call the police as soon as you can safely make a call (either by exiting the freeway or using a hands-free device since driving while holding a cell phone is illegal in California).

I love animals and don't want to see them get hurt, but I think safety should be first and foremost.

 

[wvdisluv2]

A couple of years ago in California, a mom stopped her minivan on the side of the freeway to try to rescue a dog that was running loose. She left her kids in the car and got out to try to call the dog. A driver who didn't see that she was stopped smashed into the back of the parked minivan. Two kids were hurt and a 12 year old boy sitting in the very back seat was killed.

After the accident, the police stressed that it is never safe to stop on a freeway, highway or interstate unless absolutely necessary (i.e. you car stalls or you get a flat). Stopping for a dog is never a good idea. If you see a dog, you should call the police as soon as you can safely make a call (either by exiting the freeway or using a hands-free device since driving while holding a cell phone is illegal in California).

I love animals and don't want to see them get hurt, but I think safety should be first and foremost.

I agree~I didn't think about it as I posted, but our interstates here in rural WV are probably a LOT less busy than in other areas. Human safety should always come first

 

[2BigKIdz]

It breaks my heart to see dogs running on the interstate. I have seen several recently running in the median. I always want to stop but I am afraid that I will spook them and cause them to run into the highway and get killed. My bil picked up a little poodle running on I-95 near DC. They had her for about 12 years before she passed last year.

I have stopped to help a dog that was hit by a car.

 

[resol37]

I would call animal control and keep going. I don't want the dog to get hit, but I don't want to get hit either. If you don't know your animal control number, you can call highway patrol (usually *hp/*47) or even 911. 911 might not be able to dispatch anybody for the dog help but they'll be able to get you through to the animal control office that handles that jurisdiction.

 

[WDSearcher]

Quite a while ago, I programmed the Highway Patrol, Animal Control and our local Emergency Vet into my phone so that if I ever did see an animal on the highway, I didn't have to worry about how many steps it would take me to find the right number. Thankfully, I've never had to use them!

 

[onelilspark]

I called once when I saw one, but I've never stopped. I've stayed with dogs outside in my neighborhood until the owner came looking for it or Animal Control came. (My house isn't set up for a dog right now.)

Just because someone doesn't stop doesn't mean they don't care.