A Malaysian driver, Frederick Ling, has shared a harrowing account of why he chose to hit a dog with his car, sparking a debate among netizens.
Dog unexpectedly appeared on the road
In a lengthy Facebook post, Ling shared that the incident took place on a deserted road in Langkawi on a Friday, the local weekend when the driver was traveling at speeds of 90-100 km/h.
“A dog unexpectedly appeared on the road, and within a split second, I was faced with a life-threatening decision. I could swerve or brake hard, actions that at high speeds could risk my own life, or I could continue on his path.”
Choosing to protect his own life, he hit the dog with “full speed”.
He later returned to the scene, not out of courage but out of a sense of obligation, only to find no trace of the animal.
“I hope the dog has cleared away and not left to suffer,” he wrote.
The driver expressed no significant remorse over his decision, stating that if given a hundred chances, he would make the same choice again.
He rationalizes his action by the desire to ensure the dog did not suffer if it was to die, preferring a quick end over a potentially prolonged and painful one.
Ling also expressed that he has no major regrets over his decision, though he does feel a sense of wistfulness about the unavoidable nature of the incident. He apologizes to the dog in a poignant reflection on life and responsibility, promising to make amends in another life.
OP speaks to WeirdKaya
Ling’s narrative, however, is not without its fictional elements. He clarified to WeirdKaya that the detailed “seconds” of decision-making were not as clear-cut in the moment as they are in his recount.
The “full speed” impact he describes is also a narrative device, as there was no time to either accelerate or decelerate significantly.
Ling added a sobering thought to his narrative, suggesting that the article might one day trigger a subconscious reaction in an emergency situation.
“I do not wish to see a day when someone, in an attempt to avoid an animal, ends up lying in a pool of blood, and in the last moments of their life, they see only a small cat or dog passing by as if nothing has happened.”
In response to questions about his motives for sharing the story, Ling told WeirdKaya that he wanted to give a voice to those who have faced accidents not of their own making, emphasizing the importance of self-forgiveness.
He also hopes that his story might inform others in similar situations, arguing that sacrificing oneself to save an animal is not a true act of love.
Netizens divided
This story has elicited a range of responses, with some understanding the split-second decision-making in a dangerous situation, while others are appalled by the act and the driver’s lack of regret.
The driver’s narrative, shared online, has opened up a complex dialogue on animal rights, human safety, and moral dilemmas faced on the road.
Read also: M’sian Animal Rescue Group Sets Up Self-Feeder Meant To Prevent Stray Dogs From Going Hungry
One netizen expressed guilt over a similar incident, questioning Ling’s motive behind his lengthy justification and suggesting that it might be an attempt to seek validation for his actions.
“I have accidentally run over a cat myself, and at that time, I felt very guilty and sad. I wasn’t in the mood to write a lengthy explanation. I don’t know what your purpose is in writing this out. Do you think that what you did was actually wrong and yet you want everyone to agree with you to rationalize your behavior?,” one wrote.
Another suggested that Ling could have opted to signal and slow down, believing that the risk of being rear-ended was a better alternative than taking an animal’s life.
This comment points to a preference for non-lethal measures and consideration for animal life over potential vehicle damage.
Compliments on Ling’s writing were shadowed by advice to drive slower, while another individual sympathized with Ling, sharing their own experience of a dog causing damage to their car and hinting at the lack of support for drivers in such situations.
“”I support you, man. To all the dog lovers out there, I was recently hit by a dog. I was driving straight when the dog suddenly came out from the side, cracked my bumper, broke the lights, and dented the air conditioning and the frame. Is there any great dog lover willing to reimburse me for the damages?”
