Entire Dog Blog

I have untold sympathy for anyone who loses a dog. However, the facts of this case have me scratching my head and wondering about the level of care provided to Sharpie (a 2-year-old black flat-haired Labrador Retriever) by Wilma and Russ Tate of Marsilles, Illinois. Sharpie was resuced from the Illinois River last month, and was killed on impact when struck by the car of a hit and run driver this week.

It may just be that the article, which comes from a small local newspaper, does not properly or completely lay out the facts surrounding Sharpie's two accidents. In reading the article, it seems that the dog was allowed to run free and right into danger's path twice in the "several months" she had been living with the Tates. And those were just the two times that made the news.

Like I wrote, I have no way to know whether the Tates were neglectful in caring for Sharpie or whether it's just that the article is vague. Dogs don't know what is reckless or dangerous behavior. Human caregivers for dogs have a responsibility to protect the dogs from the consequences of their actions.