I ran over a cat yesterday

[The Burgomaster]

Yesterday, my wife, mother, father, and I decided to take a drive and stop somewhere for lunch. I was driving on a somewhat busy residential street in my parents' town, when a cat ran out of some bushes and straight in front of my car. I tried to swerve to avoid the cat, but it was too late.

I looked in my mirror and saw the cat in the road. It was still alive, on its back, squirming to get up.

I stopped my car and called the police. They told me the animal control officer was not on duty, but they would send another officer.

I got out of the car and started walking back toward the cat, but the cat was gone and there were a couple of people looking in the bushes. Apparently, the cat had been able to crawl in there. The woman at the scene told me the cat belonged to her 87 year-old mother-in-law.

I looked into the bushes and saw the cat lying there, alive and alert. It was not making any sounds, but it was panting. After a few seconds, it dragged itself a few inches deeper into the bushes. Its hind legs weren't moving much.

The cop showed up and tried to reach the cat, but the cat immediately hissed and tried to bite him. A few seconds later, the woman who owned the cat came out of the house with her son (who seemed to be in his 60s). He had a blanket and was able to put the cat on it and slide the cat out from the bushes.

I told the woman that I was the one who hit her cat and I was sorry. She said not to blame myself. She said the cat was always running around. She also thanked me for stopping. Then she and her son got in their car with the cat to take it to the animal hospital.

The cop also thanked me for stopping and said most people just keep driving when they hit an animal. I've had dogs most of my life, so I couldn't just drive away.

Anyway, I'm not sure what happened after that. I assume the cat's hind legs were badly damaged, maybe broken. Also, it may have had a lower back injury. The vet probably had to euthanize it.

I still feel terrible even though it wasn't intentional. Just needed to get it off my chest.

[indianasmith]

You did the right thing.  I wish the person who hit my Fortuna earlier this year had the decency to do what you did.

[316zombie]

you're a good guy, burgo...