A West Island woman woman is looking to set the record straight after she and her husband were wrongfully accused of running over a dog in Pierrefonds on Friday.
The woman is speaking out under the condition of anonymity because she says she fears for her safety.
“Lynn” – as she’s calling herself – says the last few days have been a nightmare.
“My life has been hell for four days and I don’t think anyone should have to do this,” she said.
Lynn says it’s all because of a Facebook post by Maude Grenier, the owner of the dog who was killed.
On Saturday, Grenier took to social media to accuse Lynn’s husband of being the driver in the hit-and-run that killed her dog Pixelle.
The post included the make of the car Grenier alleges was involved, and even its licence plate number.
Since then, the post has been shared thousands of times and many negative comments have popped up.
“I’ll hunt Ile Bizard for that car,” one man said.
“I’d run over him with an 18-wheeler,” another woman posted. “If anyone sees him, slice his tires and break his windows.”
“As a mom of four kids, I was really scared. Really, really scared,” Lynn said.
READ MORE: Pierrefonds dog dies in hit-and-run; owner demanding apology
Police have confirmed Lynn’s husband was wrongfully accused.
It turns out someone else came forward taking responsibility for the collision and it was the person who took Pixelle to the hospital.
Global News reached out to Grenier but she wouldn’t speak on camera.
She said she never meant to hurt anyone and on Wednesday afternoon, she removed the licence plate number from the post.
“My reaction to that is: too little too late. Too little too late,” Lynn remarked.
Lynn says she’d like Grenier to remove the post altogether and to apologize.
According to Global News’ legal analyst, Philip Schneider, that would be the best plan.
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“They could certainly sue for damages to the reputation – to the traumatism they’re suffering – because of the threats that are coming to them and the false reputation they’re getting because of these postings,” he said.
As a security expert, Claude Sarrazin says he has seen his share of Facebook posts gone wrong.
Sarrazin says before you post, you should go to the police.
“Ask the police if it’s appropriate for you to post anything concerning the event because you could ruin the investigation by disclosing too much information,” Sarrazin stressed.
Or ruin someone’s reputation.
“I’m lucky, I have a great family, so for me it was OK,” Lynn said as she broke down in tears. “I have a lot of support, but for some other people, they might not have that.”
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