Animals that are struck by vehicles are not always killed outright. Often, they may lie there for many hours in tremendous pain, yet be unable to move from the roadway. City workers frequently encounter animals who are mortally wounded and routinely scoop them from the roads and toss them onto refuse trucks. These animals may still be alive when they reach the landfill. These are not only squirrels, birds, possums, raccoons, deer, and the like...but also the occasional cat or dog.
Mortally wounded animals deserve to be treated with compassion and euthanized humanely to end their suffering. Hitting an animal with a shovel is not humane euthanasia. Animals (especially pets) that are injured but could possibly survive with medical treatment should be rushed to emergency animal welfare or veterinary facilities. Often, the only sign of life is extremely shallow breathing. Dogs with broken pelvises or legs have been shot roadside by police and collected as trash. Dogs have awakened from unconsciousness and even survived gunshots. Some of these dogs could have enjoyed many years of life with prompt treatment, and almost all pets have someone worried and hoping they find their way home.
Please treat living animals with respect and compassion and stop sending them to die among the trash.
