sorry to waste board space on this, but it really shook me up today. I run my dog grooming shop out of a vet's office. This morning as I got to work the animal control truck arrived with lights flashing (very unusual). Seems a truck driver stopped at a rest area to catch a nap, he was traveling with his young cattle dog and decided to tie her out so she could air out while he napped. Apparently he woke up, realized he was 'behind schedule' to deliver his load and took off down the highway without remembering his dog was TIED TO THE TRUCK!! She was dragged for appoximately 2 minutes before she somehow got out of her collar (or it broke). This dog now has NO pads on her feet and when she couldn't keep up anymore was dragged on her belly and has the worst case of road rash I have ever seen.. A motorist was trying to get the guy to stop, flashing lights and waving and by the time he realized the dog was not in the truck she was already free of the truck and running for her life. It does appear that she will be OK, this brave little dog actually walked over to me this afternoon (with no pads!) and crawled into my lap and was licking my face.. I admit I was bawling. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

The trucker is in shock and it really was an accident. I was really mad until I saw him visit her after she came out of surgery... he is so upset and I can only imagine the guilt I would feel in that same situation...

I don't know what I would have or could have done if I had witnessed this happening.. How do you get a truck to stop?? I do know I probably would not have been able to go to work! I was upset enough just seeing the dog and I am pretty used to seeing all kinds of trauma (was a vet tech for years before opening the grooming business)..

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Oh my gosh...

I am so glad that the dog will be ok. That is a horrifying story. I had tears in my eyes just reading and thinking about it. Thank heavens the dog will have good care now.

Unfortunately I have heard of this happening before. I have never seen it, thank goodness, but it can happen. How WOULD one stop a truck?? Could you get in front of it and start slowing down? If the truck went to pass you, you could speed up and try again. Any way one would try it, it could be dangerous. I hope I never see something like this.

What a horrifying ordeal. Dogs are amazingly resilient and I'm sure with all the love this little one is getting, it will be forgotten in no time <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> My co-worker's K-9 tore up his rear pads running on the asphalt road after a toy (those incredible slides) and they are healing very quickly. I pray for the same for this tough little dog.

(Cindy, I'm guessing you'll be sneaking some extra treats to work with you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> )

Forgiven, probably.....Forgotten, not!

Cripes....if I saw that happening I would actually shoot the truck tires or engine and just take my chances with the legal system if the truck did not stop for my signal immediately.
It's a sin that the poor animal payed for his owner's lack of attention. The owner may be guilt racked, but that hardly decreases the pain the dog is in. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Shoot the tires of the truck...

And what if you missed and shot the dog? Or hit the gas tank? Or if the truck driver lost control of his vehicle and caused an accident? Or the cargo is flammable and starts a conflagration? Or you hit another motorist? Or in braking, the forward momentum carried the dog forward (actually that isn't an if, the dog *will* go cannoning forwards) and it got run over by the truck? Man, you *have* to think of more than just the desirable consequences.

Gut-wrenching though situations like this are, you have to use your head, not your adrenal glands. If the truck driver doesn't come to a stop smoothly and in a straight line, the dog has no chance and shooting pretty much guarantees that it won't. I think the motorist who called the truck driver's attention to the situaion was doing everything he or she could. I know, the frustration of being helpless do do more is one of the very worst things.

Forgiven but not forgotten? Yeah, I agree pretty much, Colleen, though I've a feeling that the truck driver is never, ever going to forget his dog.

Brrr...

Dei.

Yeah, bad idea....now your risking human life and being reckless.
Carry a portable CB radio in the glove box for emergencies.....not that anyone will ever see something like this...thank god.