I'm just thinking that she was so panic-stricken that maybe the first thing that popped into her head was to get help whatever way she could. The lie was a sure bet that it would get attention. I don't know if she thought it through or just said it. Who knows?? I think it is wrong, but she shouldn't be severely punished for it. She was punished enough by the death of her dog. Call it temporary insanity? So sorry the poor dog was killed, though.