I understand there are times on the road where you might hit someone's cat or dog. You're told as a young driver not to swerve into another lane to avoid hitting an animal, but if you can slow down or honk to alert the animal, then by all means, do these things, just don't put someone's life in jeopardy. Yet this doesn't mean you should not stop and try to contact police where the animal was hit. You should do all you can because the animal is likely someone's beloved pet and their owners are worried sick. Kristin Smith owns Charlie, as she describes him as a "big hound." Charlie was hit on the road recently and left to die by a motorist that fled without contacting police for help. Kristin asked me if there's anything she can do through our station to plead as an animal lover that people do what's right and humane in cases like this. I'll let Kristin tell the story.
On the morning of October 21, 2008 my dog was hit by a motorist on Greenwood Road in Wonder Lake. Instead of stopping and alerting anyone at all, the motorist made a conscience decision to leave him to die on the road. His only saving grace was that a girl that has horses at our stable was leaving and found Charlie lying in the road. My mom and a friend took Charlie to the vet right away. He was hurt very badly. He was bleeding from his mouth and ears and was very swollen, so swollen, that the vets cannot tell the extent of his injuries. They think he might have broken bones in his neck and legs, but cannot tell until the swelling goes down. He may or may not survive this tragedy. For many of us, our pets are like family. A lot of people cannot understand this because they feel that they are just animals, but those of you animal lovers out there, know how I feel right now. I am appalled that someone could hit a big dog and leave him to die on the road. I also know that some of you may be thinking that we are at fault for having him get out to the road. Regardless of that, it is not acceptable to leave the scene of an accident, especially when it involves a living thing. And it would be next to impossible for a motorist to not know they hit this dog. He is a big hound, so it would have been noticeable. My heart hurts that Charlie may not survive this incident. It saddens me more that people can just run over a dog and leave. Where has our compassion gone? Are we so busy and so concerned with ourselves that we have lost all ability to care for others? What is the point of this story, you ask? Well, I am asking that everyone take a moment to say a prayer for Charlie. I am also asking that you take time to reflect on life a little and appreciate the little things we have and the importance of all living things. Take the time to stop once in a while from your busy lives and think about the consequences of your actions, big or small. And to the person who hit Charlie and has put him and my family through this pain, for shame. Shame on you for being such a selfish, uncaring individual.
Sincerely,
Kristin
Thank you, Kristin. From our station to your family, we most certainly hope Charlie survives his ordeal and heals from his injuries. But most of all, we plead with our intelligent readers and listeners that you can spread the word to others, that animals have rights and they can hurt like us. Don't let animals suffer like Charlie most certainly did on the day he was hit by a car. Get help immediately, be responsible, and most of all, be humane.
Just thought I would give you a quick update on Charlie. Charlie has made quite a bit of progress since his accident. Things were not looking good in the beginning and we were seriously considering putting him down. We decided to wait and give him a little longer. Since then, he has received his surgery on his fractured leg and has a cast on his front leg. He is able to get around and is walking around. He actually wagged his tail yesterday, which was a first. He still cannot see, but we think he can at least see figures a little. We are hoping that his site with recover. He is not completely out of the woods yet, but is definitely taking steps forward. I want to thank the great staff at the Richmond Veterinary Clinic for their support and caring. I would also like to thank the people at the Hebron Animal Clinic, where Charlie received his surgery. Without the support of these people and your support also, Stew, I am not sure that we would have had the hope or resolve in pushing forward with Charlie's recovery. So, I thank you as well. Finally, thank you to all the people who prayed for Charlie. I am hopeful that he will have a long life ahead.-Kristin
Joe Cicero Weekdays 5a-10a
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