Family mourns dog killed after escaping vet clinic: ‘His life has to mean something’
SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) - An Alabama family is mourning the loss of their 5-year-old dog who was struck and killed by a car on the highway after escaping from a veterinary clinic during a routine visit.
Katie and Dominick Santoro’s dog, Diesel, was a 60-pound mixed breed with a sweet but anxious temperament. He got loose during a bathroom break at the Cahaba Valley Animal Clinic last week. According to the clinic, a staff member was walking the dog when he slipped out of his collar and bolted.
Despite extensive search efforts, Diesel was found dead more than 48 hours later. He was struck and killed by a car on U.S. Highway 280, WBRC reports.
“I prayed that what I saw on the side of the road was a trash bag,” said Dominick Santoro, recalling the moment he discovered Diesel’s body. “But when I got closer, I realized it was him.”
Diesel’s death has devastated the Santoro family, including their three children who were given the chance to say goodbye after the dog was brought to a nearby vet clinic for cremation.
“He acted like he was big and bad, but he was such a softie. Such a baby,” the Santoro family said.
The family says Diesel had a documented history of anxiety and had been prescribed medication. They believe the clinic failed to take proper precautions during his visit and should have used a more secure leash or had an enclosed area for outdoor breaks.
“To take him outside with just his regular collar, without checking if it was tight enough, and without a slip leash — that just doesn’t seem like the standard of care,” Katie Santoro said. “It wasn’t intentional, but it was negligent.”
The clinic has since released a statement expressing their sorrow and pledging to review internal protocols to prevent similar incidents.
“We are devastated by this loss and extend our deepest sympathies to the pet’s family,” the statement read. “We are currently reviewing all related procedures and will implement any necessary changes to ensure an incident like this never happens again.”
Now, the Santoro family hopes Diesel’s story will inspire vet clinics to strengthen safety measures and prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak.
“His life, and even his tragic death, has to mean something,” Katie Santoro said. “We want to make sure no one else goes through this.”
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