Apologizing for an accident that occurred outside the workplace

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I have a colleague, let's call him Gary, who sits a few rows down from me and had an emotional support dog. A lot of people in the office question whether this is truly a real "emotional support dog" because the dog is old. I've always defended Gary and the dog because I'm a strong believer in emotional support animals. (My cousin actually trains emotional support animals for a living).



Last week when driving home, the dog darted in front of my car. I slammed on the brakes, but unfortunately, the dog died.



I feel very bad for Gary's loss. However, my boss is now requesting I issue a public apology. I really don't feel I need to do this because:



  • This wasn't my fault at all


  • I ended up having to pay for my own car repair out of my own pocket


  • My lawyer friend advised me that publicly apologizing could be inadvertently admitting fault

  • This situation is already embarrassing enough

However, I also don't want to give people the impression that I'm heartless or that I'm one of the people in the office who have been questioning whether this is truly an emotional support animal.



Am I being too selfish in not wanting to apologize? How can I express my remorse and support for emotional support animals, while not admitting fault? Or should I just be quiet and let things simmer?






personal-problems







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  • 3




    I don't think saying something like "I am sorry for your loss" is an admission of guilt.
    – Mister Positive
    2 hours ago







  • 1




    No I haven't talked about it with anyone today as I wanted to hear everyone else's thoughts on this.
    – IHaveTheBestDog
    2 hours ago






  • 2




    You say outside of work, but was this outside of the company parking lot too?
    – thursdaysgeek
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    If it did not happen at the workplace they cannot tell you what to do.
    – paparazzo
    1 hour ago






  • 2




    Did you talk to your boss about the position this puts you in?
    – Myles
    1 hour ago
















up vote
4
down vote

favorite












I have a colleague, let's call him Gary, who sits a few rows down from me and had an emotional support dog. A lot of people in the office question whether this is truly a real "emotional support dog" because the dog is old. I've always defended Gary and the dog because I'm a strong believer in emotional support animals. (My cousin actually trains emotional support animals for a living).



Last week when driving home, the dog darted in front of my car. I slammed on the brakes, but unfortunately, the dog died.



I feel very bad for Gary's loss. However, my boss is now requesting I issue a public apology. I really don't feel I need to do this because:



  • This wasn't my fault at all


  • I ended up having to pay for my own car repair out of my own pocket


  • My lawyer friend advised me that publicly apologizing could be inadvertently admitting fault

  • This situation is already embarrassing enough

However, I also don't want to give people the impression that I'm heartless or that I'm one of the people in the office who have been questioning whether this is truly an emotional support animal.



Am I being too selfish in not wanting to apologize? How can I express my remorse and support for emotional support animals, while not admitting fault? Or should I just be quiet and let things simmer?






personal-problems







share|improve this question









New contributor




IHaveTheBestDog is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.















  • 3




    I don't think saying something like "I am sorry for your loss" is an admission of guilt.
    – Mister Positive
    2 hours ago







  • 1




    No I haven't talked about it with anyone today as I wanted to hear everyone else's thoughts on this.
    – IHaveTheBestDog
    2 hours ago






  • 2




    You say outside of work, but was this outside of the company parking lot too?
    – thursdaysgeek
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    If it did not happen at the workplace they cannot tell you what to do.
    – paparazzo
    1 hour ago






  • 2




    Did you talk to your boss about the position this puts you in?
    – Myles
    1 hour ago












up vote
4
down vote

favorite









up vote
4
down vote

favorite











I have a colleague, let's call him Gary, who sits a few rows down from me and had an emotional support dog. A lot of people in the office question whether this is truly a real "emotional support dog" because the dog is old. I've always defended Gary and the dog because I'm a strong believer in emotional support animals. (My cousin actually trains emotional support animals for a living).



Last week when driving home, the dog darted in front of my car. I slammed on the brakes, but unfortunately, the dog died.



I feel very bad for Gary's loss. However, my boss is now requesting I issue a public apology. I really don't feel I need to do this because:



  • This wasn't my fault at all


  • I ended up having to pay for my own car repair out of my own pocket


  • My lawyer friend advised me that publicly apologizing could be inadvertently admitting fault

  • This situation is already embarrassing enough

However, I also don't want to give people the impression that I'm heartless or that I'm one of the people in the office who have been questioning whether this is truly an emotional support animal.



Am I being too selfish in not wanting to apologize? How can I express my remorse and support for emotional support animals, while not admitting fault? Or should I just be quiet and let things simmer?






personal-problems







share|improve this question









New contributor




IHaveTheBestDog is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I have a colleague, let's call him Gary, who sits a few rows down from me and had an emotional support dog. A lot of people in the office question whether this is truly a real "emotional support dog" because the dog is old. I've always defended Gary and the dog because I'm a strong believer in emotional support animals. (My cousin actually trains emotional support animals for a living).



Last week when driving home, the dog darted in front of my car. I slammed on the brakes, but unfortunately, the dog died.



I feel very bad for Gary's loss. However, my boss is now requesting I issue a public apology. I really don't feel I need to do this because:



  • This wasn't my fault at all


  • I ended up having to pay for my own car repair out of my own pocket


  • My lawyer friend advised me that publicly apologizing could be inadvertently admitting fault

  • This situation is already embarrassing enough

However, I also don't want to give people the impression that I'm heartless or that I'm one of the people in the office who have been questioning whether this is truly an emotional support animal.



Am I being too selfish in not wanting to apologize? How can I express my remorse and support for emotional support animals, while not admitting fault? Or should I just be quiet and let things simmer?






personal-problems




personal-problems






share|improve this question









New contributor




IHaveTheBestDog is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









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IHaveTheBestDog is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




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edited 1 hour ago









Joe Strazzere

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asked 2 hours ago









IHaveTheBestDog

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IHaveTheBestDog is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






IHaveTheBestDog is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







  • 3




    I don't think saying something like "I am sorry for your loss" is an admission of guilt.
    – Mister Positive
    2 hours ago







  • 1




    No I haven't talked about it with anyone today as I wanted to hear everyone else's thoughts on this.
    – IHaveTheBestDog
    2 hours ago






  • 2




    You say outside of work, but was this outside of the company parking lot too?
    – thursdaysgeek
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    If it did not happen at the workplace they cannot tell you what to do.
    – paparazzo
    1 hour ago






  • 2




    Did you talk to your boss about the position this puts you in?
    – Myles
    1 hour ago












  • 3




    I don't think saying something like "I am sorry for your loss" is an admission of guilt.
    – Mister Positive
    2 hours ago







  • 1




    No I haven't talked about it with anyone today as I wanted to hear everyone else's thoughts on this.
    – IHaveTheBestDog
    2 hours ago






  • 2




    You say outside of work, but was this outside of the company parking lot too?
    – thursdaysgeek
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    If it did not happen at the workplace they cannot tell you what to do.
    – paparazzo
    1 hour ago






  • 2




    Did you talk to your boss about the position this puts you in?
    – Myles
    1 hour ago







3




3




I don't think saying something like "I am sorry for your loss" is an admission of guilt.
– Mister Positive
2 hours ago





I don't think saying something like "I am sorry for your loss" is an admission of guilt.
– Mister Positive
2 hours ago





1




1




No I haven't talked about it with anyone today as I wanted to hear everyone else's thoughts on this.
– IHaveTheBestDog
2 hours ago




No I haven't talked about it with anyone today as I wanted to hear everyone else's thoughts on this.
– IHaveTheBestDog
2 hours ago




2




2




You say outside of work, but was this outside of the company parking lot too?
– thursdaysgeek
2 hours ago




You say outside of work, but was this outside of the company parking lot too?
– thursdaysgeek
2 hours ago




1




1




If it did not happen at the workplace they cannot tell you what to do.
– paparazzo
1 hour ago




If it did not happen at the workplace they cannot tell you what to do.
– paparazzo
1 hour ago




2




2




Did you talk to your boss about the position this puts you in?
– Myles
1 hour ago




Did you talk to your boss about the position this puts you in?
– Myles
1 hour ago










2 Answers
2






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up vote
4
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This isn't a work issue. You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog, but you're accepting part of the fault by taking the car damage on your own insurance (you might have had a claim against the negligent owner).



A private condolences to the owner is in order - but a public apology is not necessary; nobody else was hurt or impacted by the incident. If anyone complains about that, tell them that it's on attorney advice.






share|improve this answer
















  • 4




    Is there a typo in "You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog"?
    – brhans
    1 hour ago

















up vote
1
down vote














Am I being too selfish in not wanting to apologize?




It sounds like you already apologized. It's unclear what you mean when you say your boss wants you to publicly apologize. Do you mean everyone is to gather in the office, and hear you apologize for the dog?



If it did not happen at the office I don't see why you should.




How can I express my remorse and support for emotional support animals, while not admitting fault?




I would just say Gary, I am sorry I could not stop in time when the dog ran in front of my car. I did not see him and it is a very unfortunate situation.




Or should I just be quiet and let things simmer?




Yes.






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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
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    up vote
    4
    down vote













    This isn't a work issue. You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog, but you're accepting part of the fault by taking the car damage on your own insurance (you might have had a claim against the negligent owner).



    A private condolences to the owner is in order - but a public apology is not necessary; nobody else was hurt or impacted by the incident. If anyone complains about that, tell them that it's on attorney advice.






    share|improve this answer
















    • 4




      Is there a typo in "You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog"?
      – brhans
      1 hour ago














    up vote
    4
    down vote













    This isn't a work issue. You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog, but you're accepting part of the fault by taking the car damage on your own insurance (you might have had a claim against the negligent owner).



    A private condolences to the owner is in order - but a public apology is not necessary; nobody else was hurt or impacted by the incident. If anyone complains about that, tell them that it's on attorney advice.






    share|improve this answer
















    • 4




      Is there a typo in "You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog"?
      – brhans
      1 hour ago












    up vote
    4
    down vote










    up vote
    4
    down vote









    This isn't a work issue. You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog, but you're accepting part of the fault by taking the car damage on your own insurance (you might have had a claim against the negligent owner).



    A private condolences to the owner is in order - but a public apology is not necessary; nobody else was hurt or impacted by the incident. If anyone complains about that, tell them that it's on attorney advice.






    share|improve this answer












    This isn't a work issue. You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog, but you're accepting part of the fault by taking the car damage on your own insurance (you might have had a claim against the negligent owner).



    A private condolences to the owner is in order - but a public apology is not necessary; nobody else was hurt or impacted by the incident. If anyone complains about that, tell them that it's on attorney advice.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 1 hour ago









    PeteCon

    13.2k43654




    13.2k43654







    • 4




      Is there a typo in "You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog"?
      – brhans
      1 hour ago












    • 4




      Is there a typo in "You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog"?
      – brhans
      1 hour ago







    4




    4




    Is there a typo in "You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog"?
    – brhans
    1 hour ago




    Is there a typo in "You should obviously apologize to the owner for him having an uncontrolled dog"?
    – brhans
    1 hour ago












    up vote
    1
    down vote














    Am I being too selfish in not wanting to apologize?




    It sounds like you already apologized. It's unclear what you mean when you say your boss wants you to publicly apologize. Do you mean everyone is to gather in the office, and hear you apologize for the dog?



    If it did not happen at the office I don't see why you should.




    How can I express my remorse and support for emotional support animals, while not admitting fault?




    I would just say Gary, I am sorry I could not stop in time when the dog ran in front of my car. I did not see him and it is a very unfortunate situation.




    Or should I just be quiet and let things simmer?




    Yes.






    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      1
      down vote














      Am I being too selfish in not wanting to apologize?




      It sounds like you already apologized. It's unclear what you mean when you say your boss wants you to publicly apologize. Do you mean everyone is to gather in the office, and hear you apologize for the dog?



      If it did not happen at the office I don't see why you should.




      How can I express my remorse and support for emotional support animals, while not admitting fault?




      I would just say Gary, I am sorry I could not stop in time when the dog ran in front of my car. I did not see him and it is a very unfortunate situation.




      Or should I just be quiet and let things simmer?




      Yes.






      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        1
        down vote










        up vote
        1
        down vote










        Am I being too selfish in not wanting to apologize?




        It sounds like you already apologized. It's unclear what you mean when you say your boss wants you to publicly apologize. Do you mean everyone is to gather in the office, and hear you apologize for the dog?



        If it did not happen at the office I don't see why you should.




        How can I express my remorse and support for emotional support animals, while not admitting fault?




        I would just say Gary, I am sorry I could not stop in time when the dog ran in front of my car. I did not see him and it is a very unfortunate situation.




        Or should I just be quiet and let things simmer?




        Yes.






        share|improve this answer













        Am I being too selfish in not wanting to apologize?




        It sounds like you already apologized. It's unclear what you mean when you say your boss wants you to publicly apologize. Do you mean everyone is to gather in the office, and hear you apologize for the dog?



        If it did not happen at the office I don't see why you should.




        How can I express my remorse and support for emotional support animals, while not admitting fault?




        I would just say Gary, I am sorry I could not stop in time when the dog ran in front of my car. I did not see him and it is a very unfortunate situation.




        Or should I just be quiet and let things simmer?




        Yes.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 15 mins ago









        Dan

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