# Would you drive drunk to save your dying pet? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 16, 2006, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211 "2006-01-16T12:58:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/21 "2006-01-16T18:05:12Z")
This a real possibility for me. My dog has epilepsy and already had one status epilepticus seizure. This type of seizure does not stop on its own, and very often fatal. That time the vet managed to anesthetize her and stop the seizure, but I think the outcome may have been very different with even 5 minutes more delay. Hopefull that won’t happen since the dog is on medication now. But it’s no guarantee. If it happens again while I’m drunk, yes, I’d definitely take the risk and drive. > [@](#): > > How is it possible that everyone you know is incapassitated or unable to be contacted, all your neighbours are out, and all taxi services are fully booked. The last time I called a taxi here it took 30 minutes. There just isn’t much demand for cabs in this small city. And if it happened at 3am, how long would it take to wake up a neighbor and get him/her in a car? ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/22 "2006-01-16T18:11:20Z")
No question. I would do anything I could to save one of my pets. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/23 "2006-01-16T18:32:02Z")
Shakes: Wassa matta boy… Don’ feel so good? You’re a good doggy dog. I love you. Wanna go for a ride? Shakes Dog: “Cough Wheeze” … No… no… I’m fine… I’ve still got some woof left in me. Shakes: Com’ on it’ll be fun. You like rides don’t you boy? Shakes Dog: Yeah… it was a real amusing “ride” when you told me I was going with you to be “tutored”. Shakes: Don’t be like that … sometimes I wish I could get rid of mine. They’re soo much trouble, and they make me do stupid things. That’s why I drink… Shakes Dog: To forget? Shalks: Nah… just to get shit faced so I can do stupid things. Let’s ride! ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/24 "2006-01-16T18:32:11Z")
> [@1920s Style "Death Ray"](#): > > I think you’re misplacing a decimal point. The blood alcohol limit in Australia is 0.05% and according to [this](http://www.driveandstayalive.com/articles%20and%20topics/drunk%20driving/artcl--drunk-driving-0005--global-BAC-limits.htm) it is 0.08% in the USA. 0.1% is significantly above the legal limit in both countries. As far as the claim about .1% goes, I think they are right in that sleep deprivation is worse than driving drunk. But you are right that there is a misplaced decimal point for .8/.9 claim. AFAIK, .5 is about a lethal dose. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/25 "2006-01-16T18:41:41Z")
If you’re talking about 1 or 2 glasses of wine - ie - you might blow over the limit, but you’re still reasonably coherent, yep I would. My vet is about 2 blocks from my house. If I was slobbering sloshed? Well, who knows. I haven’t been slobbering sloshed since I was about 19 so I don’t really know what I would do. Most likely carry him to the vet, get lost, pass out in a snow bank and we would both die of exposure. Good thing I don’t drink very much. I’m some what ashamed to admit that my cousin was killed by a drunk driver, so I actually have first hand experience with how awful for everyone concerned that sort of crime is. However, in my heart I know I would try to save my pet. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/26 "2006-01-16T18:55:54Z")
Sad to say, but I’ve driven drunk for far sillier reasons than a dying pet, so yeah, I would. (Disclaimer: I don’t drink and drive anymore, but I used to do it fairly often.) ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/27 "2006-01-17T00:43:00Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > The last time I called a taxi here it took 30 minutes. There just isn’t much demand for cabs in this small city. And if it happened at 3am, how long would it take to wake up a neighbor and get him/her in a car? Yeah, I suppose I am thinking of being in a high population dencity area where neighbours are a minutes walk away. Do you have vets on call locally who will come to you in an emergency? ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/28 "2006-01-17T01:01:26Z")
> [@1920s Style "Death Ray"](#): > > I think you’re misplacing a decimal point. The blood alcohol limit in Australia is 0.05% and according to [this](http://www.driveandstayalive.com/articles%20and%20topics/drunk%20driving/artcl--drunk-driving-0005--global-BAC-limits.htm) it is 0.08% in the USA. 0.1% is significantly above the legal limit in both countries. Yeah, I mistyped when I put in 0.9 and 0.8, which is actually pretty obvious since I believe that would be a fatal amount of alcohol (I understand around 0.5 is when death starts happening, and maybe even earlier.) In the U.S. the legal limit is 0.08, and it used to b 0.10, so assume I had correctly typed it as (0.08 and 0.09) and my post should make more sense. I was saying I didn’t find people who drove in that range to be especially heinous since it used to be perfectly legal to drive at that level. I actually more prefer the older system, if you’re demonstrably impaired it is DUI. As tested by a field sobriety test, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/29 "2006-01-17T01:12:58Z")
I’d explain the situation to my vet, and see if he would drive out to me. He does plenty of large animals, so I’m sure he has a truck full of vet gear (Although how applicable that would be to a dog, I don’t know). If he couldn’t come out in an emergency–and it would surprise me if he couldn’t–I’d make a judgement call. But I’d probably drive. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/30 "2006-01-17T01:31:07Z")
You damn betcha I would… Of course, considering the fact that long ago in the mists of time when I was young and foolish I got pulled over driving home (about 0400) butt ass drunk and passed the roadside sobriety test with flying colors (all those dance lessons pay off eventually!) and I can still pass 'em while I’m 'faced (although I seldom drink and never drive after) I figure I have a better than average chance of being okay. Of course, if I KNOW I’m impaired I’m going to drive like grandma fershure… I wuvs my fluffies… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/31 "2006-01-17T02:00:45Z")
In a heartbeat. I know, I know, but I’ve driven drunk off my ass before, and for no better reason than to get home from the bar. Fine example to the Youth of Today I am. To save one of my cats, I’d run over a nun. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/32 "2006-01-17T02:11:07Z")
It’s purely hypothetical since I don’t own a car, and I could easily get a cab or a neighbor in such an emergency, but yeah, I’d do it. I’ve driven drunk before ( though not for about two decades, before anyone starts a pit thread), for no good reason. I’d take my chances on the road for my cats, unless I was seeing double and the room was spinning. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/33 "2006-01-17T02:25:30Z")
**Would you drive drunk to save your dying pet?** Now, replace _save your dying pet_ with _get more beer_. Yes or no? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/34 "2006-01-17T02:35:01Z")
> [@Winston Smith](#): > > **Would you drive drunk to save your dying pet?** > > Now, replace _save your dying pet_ with _get more beer_. > > Yes or no? Am I supposed to replace “drive drunk” with “kill my dog”? This is so confusing! Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/35 "2006-01-17T02:37:53Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Am I supposed to replace “drive drunk” with “kill my dog”? This is so confusing! > > Daniel No, your Dog told you to _kill them all_. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/36 "2006-01-17T02:41:13Z")
> [@Winston Smith](#): > > No, your Dog told you to _kill them all_. So, would I _kill them all_ to get more beer? Sure! Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/37 "2006-01-17T02:46:23Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > So, would I _kill them all_ to get more beer? Sure! > > Daniel Yes! And while you’re out, can you pick me up a bag of Doritos and a bottle of spring water? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/38 "2006-01-17T02:51:11Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > Yeah, I suppose I am thinking of being in a high population dencity area where neighbours are a minutes walk away. Do you have vets on call locally who will come to you in an emergency? I _do_ live in a high population density area, middle of a city with a population of over 150,000. Neighbors _are_ a minute’s walk away. But it still takes time to rouse one. And I don’t know any of them well enough that I’m confident they’d do it. There is an emergency animal clinic that’s open all night, but they don’t make house calls. It doesn’t help that the city is built around car traffic. There are very few taxis in town because everyone drives their own car. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/39 "2006-01-17T03:02:09Z")
Yes. When my beloved cat tumbled out of a six-floor window, I was practically drunk with misery and grief as I drove him, aimlessly for a quite a while, to the animal hospital. I remember crying so hard that I kept swerving onto the other side of the road. I practically lost my mind when I got turned around wrong and couldn’t find my way back to the right road. But I wasn’t technically drunk, so I guess I’m not really answering the question. I eventually got there in one piece, but the same can’t be said for my Ziggy. He was so bad off that I had to put him to sleep. But I wouldn’t hestitate to do the same thing for my other cats, even if I was intoxicated. I’d feel incredibly guilty if I found out my cautiousness ruined my pet’s chances of a positive prognosis. (Of course, I’d feel even more guilty if I killed someone, but since I don’t drink, especially by myself, I can’t see this hypothetical happening to me anyway.) Hijack: Just a bit of advice to pet owners, especially newcomers: find out where the nearest 24-hr emergency animal hospital is _now_. I spent a good thirty minutes searching through telephone books looking for one while my poor kitty lay on the floor bleeding and suffering, and then there was the awful getting lost thing. The panic of not knowing where to go makes a bad situation more stressful. Find out where a place is and keep the number handy. I wish I had. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211/40 "2006-01-17T03:37:03Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > … > > Me personally: I’m grabbing a beer on my way out the door to drive Fido to the vet. If it weren’t for your location, I’d figure you must be one of our regular clients. Folks, when you do drive drunk to your vet’s office, please don’t get all belligerent when they won’t accept beer bottle caps as payment or when they tell you that they couldn’t save your cat because he’s actually been dead for days, or when they tell you that the life-threatening tumor or hernia you saw is actually your dog’s happy bits and it’s quite normal. Thank you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-drunk-to-save-your-dying-pet/340211.md?page=3)