Miracle Murray survives run-in with a vehicle

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

by: Amy Wade-Carotenuto

Executive Director, Flagler Humane Society

Last week a call came in regarding a dog that had been hit by a car on Flagler County’s west side. Our animal services division was already being pulled in several directions, so I pushed my desk work aside and responded to the call. Upon arrival at the caller’s home, I saw a big, tan, block headed dog in the front yard. The caller had noticed the pathetic pup and had given him water. No one had seen the dog get hit; however, his injuries were consistent with a run-in with a vehicle.

Although he couldn’t get up, he lifted his head and thumped his tail. He ate a few treats and allowed me to lift his pitiful 70-pound body and carry him to the car.

Our friends at Tomoka Pines Veterinary Hospital ran X-rays, and he was found to have a dislocated hip. He also had several lacerations on his underside and back legs. One injury which wasn’t consistent with the current injuries from the vehicle was a wound that resembled an embedded collar injury. The neck wounds were older. My guess is that someone tied a string or shoelace around his neck when he was a puppy. Although the string was no longer there, the marks from it remained.

Boy, if animals could talk, right? I’m positive that this guy has a sad story, I’m just not sure of the details.

Our staff named him Miracle, but he’s a boy so I call him “Murray.”

That night Murray came home with me so I could administer his midnight dose of pain relief medication. The next morning, it was back to Tomoka Pines, where Dr. Long performed the surgery to put his hip back into place. Murray made it through the surgery well and spent that night at my house too. He was very brave, and I think he understood when I promised him that he would feel so much better soon.

People have asked me how anyone could hit a dog and just keep going? Well, it’s not only a question of conscience, but hitting a domestic animal with a vehicle and not stopping is against Florida law. It’s actually punishable by a fine of $500 and 60 days in jail.

You see, in Florida pets are considered “property,” and Florida Statute 316.061 establishes that when the driver of a vehicle causes property damage, they are required to immediately stop the car and remain at the scene until they provide contact information to the property owner or an agent for the property owner:

If no one is found or available, they are obligated to report the accident to law enforcement. Failing to do so constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor.

If you hit a pet while driving:

Stop your car in a way that is not obstructing traffic. Get out where it is safe to do so.
Check on the animal. Call for assistance and wait until help arrives. Move the animal if it's necessary to prevent possible accidents from more cars.
Use caution when moving the animal. A hurt and scared animal might bite due to the pain.
If no owner is located, check the animal for tags. If people are around, ask if they recognize the animal and may know the owner.
Call law enforcement or animal services. We can scan for a microchip and make sure the lost pet receives veterinary care. Failure to stop can get you in legal trouble.

So please drive very carefully for all of those Murrays out there. And by the way, Murray is up for adoption.