Dead dog on outer loop of 495 after 66 before braddock last week (Annandale: house, live)

[Jesco White]

On my way to work on Wednesday , I saw one of those emergency vehicles that will pull over at accident sites to divert traffic with the blinking sign on the back of the truck. When I passed, I saw a dog sitting down in the shoulder near the center of the road, panting and bleeding from it's hind quarters. It appeared to be a black lab. The dog was obviously alive, but probably mortally injured. It saddened me a great deal because it was obviously someone's pet and here it was dying on the side of 495 after an impact with a car. The workers were standing around. I assumed they had just arrived and were getting ready to either put the poor mutt out of his or her misery or try and get it to a Vet for some emergency care. Very sad.

The next morning, I passed the same spot and noticed the now dead dog in the same place, untouched, and I became I was extremely upset. The dog's carcass has remained undisturbed since (as of Friday morning). I know it's not the emergency worker's duty to take care of this, but isn't there someone that could have? To stand around watching someone's pet suffer and die without attempting to help, and then deciding to just leave the body to rot there because it wasn't their responsibility? I wanted to call someone to lodge a complaint, but had no idea who to contact.

This isn't a question really, but more of a comment. I'd like to get some feedback from the posters here on whether or not they believe the action was appropriate, and also if proper procedure was followed. Additionally, does anyone know who I could lodge a complaint with?

Thanks.. Not a great post, but one I feel I had to get of my chest as it bothered me because of the astounding lack of empathy displayed by the workers.

[CAVA1990]

I'm amazed at the so called "Animal Control" around here. Their sole purpose seems to be to patrol parks looking to give tickets for leash infractions. When I called to ask if they would remove a dead animal from in front of my house they informed me they don't do that and told me to throw it in the trash. Seems like a part of the county budget that should be cut.

[Gottasay]

Probably so that the owners, potentially retracing their steps as to where they last saw the dog could then find it?? Kind of like when someone loses a glove and people will leave it where they found it?

[Jesco White]

Originally Posted by Gottasay

Probably so that the owners, potentially retracing their steps as to where they last saw the dog could then find it?? Kind of like when someone loses a glove and people will leave it where they found it?

If I were looking for a missing pet, I would love to find it decaying on the side of a major highway. I'm assuming the dog probably had tags. There aren't too many strays in the burbs along 495..

No offense.. but I think that's a rather lame "strategy"

[bmwguydc]

It's very sad that in a county with the resources that Fairfax has, that they could not get an animal control van there to assist/recover the remains. If nothing else, a domestic animal by the side of a highway is a traffic hazzard, since it will attract the attention of passing motorists more than a wild animal would.

I have stopped to help lost/injured animals, and am a private citizen, so I agree that it's appalling that the proper authorities were not dispatched to properly clear the accident scene.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

I have stopped to help lost/injured animals, and am a private citizen, so I agree that it's appalling that the proper authorities were not dispatched to properly clear the accident scene.

Too busy casing the parks along the GW Parkway looking for owners letting their dogs go for a run.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

It's very sad that in a county with the resources that Fairfax has, that they could not get an animal control van there to assist/recover the remains. If nothing else, a domestic animal by the side of a highway is a traffic hazzard, since it will attract the attention of passing motorists more than a wild animal would.

I have stopped to help lost/injured animals, and am a private citizen, so I agree that it's appalling that the proper authorities were not dispatched to properly clear the accident scene.

I agree.

As for who to call to complain -- I would start with Chairman Sharon Bulova's office (703-324-2321). Her staff will likely contact VDOT.

Chairman Sharon Bulova*- Fairfax County, Virginia

[gingerbreadgirl]

After calling animal control about removing a dead deer along the side of the road near my house, I was told they do not remove animal carcasses. I would have to call the state road department. I called and it was removed a few days later.

That being said, I read your post with tears in my eyes. Poor dog! I can't imagine animal control not trying to catch the animal (how hard could it be if it was badly injured). Isn't that part of their job? Maybe it died while they were there and since they don't remove dead animals, they left it for the SRD to remove. Sad sad sad.

[OrangeFish]

Jesco White -- I happened to see this posting on craigslist. Might this match the description of the dog that you saw?

Lost Dog - Annandale (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/laf/1810490773.html - broken link)

http://images.craigslist.org/3n93p93l25Y35Q55S2a6pbd09ea4aafc21cbe.jpg (broken link)

[ShannonMilligan]

How awful! I probably would have pulled over and taken it to a vet myself. I love dogs a lot and couldn't stand seeing this. How could those workers just stand there and do nothing? I feel so bad for that dog and it's family...I have toddlers and they would be heartbroken if something happened to their dog...especially if something may have saved it.