Hit a Freaking Dog Today
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
From: Discipline, Commitment, Toughness Effort, Pride
St. Jude Donor '13
Hit a Freaking Dog Today
Beautiful afternoon...on my way home from work...dog comes running wide open out of the woods into the road right in front of my car. Before I even have time to react...BAM! -sounds like a damn explosion. I hit it with the front of my car and out it comes from under my rear passenger tire. It knocked my tag filler plate lose and ripped one of the screw holes. Otherwise everything seems fine. I've already fixed the tag filler plate, but is there anything under the car prone to damage I should check out? 
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: Dallas Texas
Happened to me several years ago. I was going 30 in a residential. White Lab comes out of nowhere (out of the bushes, seriously) on the other side of the street. An F250 hits its rear and throws it into a helicopter spin. The dog flies into my lane and hits square on my left front. I saw it and was hitting the brakes....so it probably hit me when I was going 15 or so. I knocked the dog unconcious and it bounced directly forward on the road - very busy residential street. I pulled over as did many others. We ran to check on the dog, and it jumped up, coughed and ran off after about 2 minutes. Really awful. We searched for it, but gone....dont know if it survived or not? Then, I went and looked at my car - front end cracked, destroyed really. I should have thought about the TS front end then, but now, I am very happy I put on the original. Damage was $980, deductible was $1,000, so I just bit the bullet. I have 2 other worse dog stories. Hope your car repairs go smooth.
P.S. I am convinced that the softer front end saved the dogs life - at least I hope it did...unsure to this day
P.S. I am convinced that the softer front end saved the dogs life - at least I hope it did...unsure to this day
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 5
From: Hyde Park New York
Never said it was not the owners fault, the OP was not even concerned about the dog!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 676
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From: Discipline, Commitment, Toughness Effort, Pride
St. Jude Donor '13
Dog should have been in a fence or on a leash.
Thanks for the constructive response.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 6
From: LAND OF OZ Kansas
btw, when I'm in my truck, which is most of the time, I mash the go pedal
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 832
Likes: 14
From: Lake Charles Louisiana
Wow! I am as much of a dog lover as anyone. We have 5 in fact, but if one of ours ran out in front of any car, much less a vette, I would expect the drivers LAST worry would be my dog. Absolutely no excuse for someone's pet to be loose.
I am pretty sure that a vette vs. one of our dogs would be complete and total carnage to both at any speed over 20 MPH. I would think the driver would probably have the big guy or gal in his lap.
I am pretty sure that a vette vs. one of our dogs would be complete and total carnage to both at any speed over 20 MPH. I would think the driver would probably have the big guy or gal in his lap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
IMHO a dog is a dog and does escape and runs wild...accidents happen and you never can be completely prepared for such things coming out of no where. Be very happy it was not someones kid and understand just how quickly things can happen. I think OP was not thinking when posting that it could be thought of as insensitive and this is the Corvette forum...so he had a question about his Corvette not somebodys runaway dog. I too feel for someones dog that will be missed and am sure OP feels the same.
Last edited by El original; Feb 14, 2013 at 09:52 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge Louisiana
I love my dog like nothing else, but OP has every right to be concerned about his car, not the dog. By hitting that dog it just cost him 3 grand (1k for damages, 2k in vehicle value loss on resale).
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 257
From: Lake Tapps WA.
Find the dogs owner and have them pay!! They are the ones responsible for the dog and any damage caused from it being loose. Yes it could have been worse, someone could have swerved to miss the dog and caused a head on crash. Too many irresponsible pet owners.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 15
From: Richardson TX
To answer the OP's question, and not judge him based on his concern for the deceased canine participant...
Check the air damn and the plastic "splash guard" below the car.
Both of these are designed to seal in the radiator, if there are cracks or gaps, then air will sneak past the radiator, and could cause overheating problems.
You mentioned screw holes were broken, I am assuming you're talking about the splash guard which attaches to the front bumper. If it were me, I would replace it. I wouldn't want to hit and bump and have it break or fall off and cause even more damage.
Check the air damn and the plastic "splash guard" below the car.
Both of these are designed to seal in the radiator, if there are cracks or gaps, then air will sneak past the radiator, and could cause overheating problems.
You mentioned screw holes were broken, I am assuming you're talking about the splash guard which attaches to the front bumper. If it were me, I would replace it. I wouldn't want to hit and bump and have it break or fall off and cause even more damage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 199
From: Valencia CA
I'm a dog owner/lover, in fact my Lab was the ring bearer at my wedding. My dogs are an integral part of my family just slightly less important than my kids.
I guess this makes me even less tolerant of people who don't take proper care of their pets. I would ask around the neighborhood to see if the dog being loose was a regular occurrence. If so, hand the owner the bill for the repairs to your car. If this is the first time then offer your condolences to the owner.
On edit:
Sorry about your Vette.
Last edited by Rookieracer; Feb 14, 2013 at 10:47 PM.
