Well a bit of sad news.
The in-law's dog (I believe an Irish Setter) who they've had since he was old enough to go to them (so about 2 1/2 3 months old I believe) got hit by a car and died today. He was about 10months old
I was just talking to my step-father-in-law on 4th of July if they were going to do a fence, invisible fence or dog run since they moved out to the country but he said that they were just training him and then let him go free. Well he was walking him today (I'm assuming not far since he cannot be on his feet for too too long these days) but he didn't have his leash with him since the dog had been doing well on staying close to him. Well the dog saw a bird and ran after it and a car/truck (not sure which one) was near-ish and clipped him. They believe he died instantly by a hit on the head.
A leash would have only done so much though as a dog who sees something they want can sure tug on the leash. People don't walk their dogs all the time on leashes here in my neighborhood (despite leash laws) and sometimes they are walking on the road sometimes with the dog at the most vunerable spot. It was a concern I had though when they moved to the country they had already had their mailbox hit and destroyed (as far as being usable for mail) by a driver just a week or so after they moved to the new house. Step-father-in-law is just beside himself and we feel just terrible for them. A sad day indeed
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