Driver should pay
I recently read a newspaper article about a taxi driver demanding compensation from a dog owner for damage to his car after he ran the pet over. If it was a child who was killed, would the parents be asked to pay for the damaged bumper?
It seems the driver valued his bumper more than a dog's life. Every life, be it a dog or a child, is precious. I believe the driver should compensate the dog owner, who probably treated his dog as his own child.
Although the owner should be held responsible for letting the dog wander alone, the driver was to blame for careless driving.
It's hard for some people to understand the sadness of losing a beloved pet. Money is not the real issue here. The driver should apologise to the dog owner.
Maggie Tang, Hang Seng School of Commerce
From the Editor
Thank you for your letter, Maggie. There are always two sides - some times more - to a story. While it is terrible that a dog died, we should not be so quick to blame the taxi driver.
A responsible dog owner will do everything possible to ensure that their dog is not running around in the road. Of course, a responsible parent would do likewise with their child. You say it would be terrible if it were a child that had been run over. But what would you feel if the driver had swerved to avoid the dog and killed a child?
Dogs should never be on roads. Properties should be properly fenced and dogs being walked should be on a leash, where the walker can control them and keep them out of harm's way. Only when there is no danger can a dog be allowed off the leash, but the owner should always be vigilant in case the dog goes towards a road or other dogs.
Hong Kong is very quick to blame drivers when other people really should take responsibility.
Susan, Editor
