I don’t think I would or could ever place the safety and wellbeing of my pet ahead of my children’s. In the lady’s case who stayed in her home throughout the hurricane, why couldn’t she just take the dogs along? Was there a policy against dogs wherever she was headed? If so, why not at least allow the children to get to safety with a neighbor, friend, or family member while she stayed behind with the dogs by herself, if the pets were that important to her? I would not remain in my home if it were right in the path of the hurricane. Why endanger my whole family. If the dogs cannot come along for whatever reason, then simply set them free. Chances are their instincts will guide them to safety once they encounter the onslaught of the hurricane. Animals are so much more likely to survive a natural catastrophe than are humans. I would have trusted my dogs instincts to remain safe and would have returned to the area as soon as it was safe to do so to try and find my dogs. I don’t see why pets would not be able to accompany an evacuating family, however. Many people regard their pets as part of the family and could not face the dire prospect of having to leave them behind at a time of catastrophe. I guess it would be the same as asking “Would you leave your dog behind in a burning house to save your child?” Well, yes! I would be saving my child!!! Don’t get me wrong, I do love my dog and she is like family to us as well, since we have had her since her puppy days and she basically grew up with my younger son, who was only 1 1/1 years old when we got her. But I am not sure I would compromise or sacrifice the safety of my child for our dog. Sorry, pup. If there were any chance at all I would try to rescue both simultaneously or even go back to save my doggie after bringing my children to safety first. I think if our family had to evacuate due to hurricane, I would try to sneak my toy sized Pomeranian along, even if pets were not permitted and hope we would not get kicked out of the safety area.

No that is the stupidist thing I ever heard. I love my pets but not over my kids. Some decisions in life are tough but common sense has to prevail. If one of those kids died she could have been criminally charged. She probably still could be for child endangerment.

There is nothing, living or otherwise that could prevent me from protecting my child. Absolutely nothing at all. I love my dog, but if I had to make a choice, I would leave him behind and ensure my son's safety.

I can understand the heartbreaking decision to leave without them. It would make one feel as though they have abandoned a helpless creature.....but your children should always be first.

If it was not possible for me to save my dogs and my children. My children would definitely come first. I can't believe she would endanger her children like that! That is absolutely inconceivable to me.