Hi,
a dog of a friend of mine was hit and killed by a car the other night. She's very upset, of course. The person who hit the dog didn't stop. Is there any legal responsibility when you hit a dog with your car? Thanks!
2006-09-11 10:51:38 · 17 answers · asked by Darci S 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, you are supposed to stop and report it if you can't find the owner..but there is no financial responsibility..If the dog did damage to a car (and they do) then the dog owner is responsible for damages.
2006-09-11 10:57:29 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no. If the dog did damage to the drivers car then your friend could be sued.
The dog should have been on a leash or in a fence. I'm from MS and we have people who hit cows and horses and the owners of these animals can be sued if the animals are not properly contained.
Some people don't think to stop when they hit a dog/cat. The best thing I can think of is when you have a dog and it gets in the road then you better start putting a leash or get a fence. It is your responsibility to protect your animals from this happening.
sorry about your friend losing it's dog.
now if for some reason the driver was on your friends property and they hit the dog in the driveway then the driver could be held responsible.
2006-09-11 11:31:30 · answer #2 · answered by halfpint 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In Singapore's legal context:
Under the Road Traffic Act, Cap 276, the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident with a dog has to stop and render any assistance within his power. Failure to do so is an offence under the Act.
Whether the dog owner is liable for any damages sustained by the owner of the vehicle would depend on the facts of the case. For example, the driver of a car that mounted the curb onto the sidewalk and hit a dog leashed by the owner would probably be unable to sue for any compensation and would most likely have to pay the owner of the dog. But the owner of a dog which was unleashed and unsecured in any compound would probably be liable for damages to the car owner. This is however a civil courts matter.
2006-09-11 14:18:33 · answer #3 · answered by Dimmy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Technically, it is concerned hit and run...causing property damage. However, they could claim they thought they hit a deer. Depending on the estimated value of the dog (most places only consider a dog to be property) and the damage to the car, they could be required to report the accident. I am disgusted by people that hit an animal, and don't stop. If I hit someone's dog or cat...I'd feel horrible and I would do everything in my power to contact the owner. Your friend could put an ad in the paper offering a reward, and maybe contact the police to see if anyone reported hitted anything that night. Because the dog was in the road though, I don't think she'd be able to take much action against the driver. It can't hurt to at least call the local police and ask what the laws are in that area. I know I'd be really upset if that happened to my dog. I'd be looking for any legal recourse I could find. I hope your friend is able to find closure.
2006-09-11 11:48:59 · answer #4 · answered by talented mrs v 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Everyone on here that says you should of had a leash on the dog or in a fenced in yard my dog just got hit two days ago in our very small urban neighborhood dogs and cats run around our neighborhood all the time never once has any of the animals been hit till now my dog was being watched by my brother while I'm home with my 4 month old and just found out it was a neighbor and they were going faster then the speed limit on the signs on my moms street and I'm still wondering was my poor dog at fault I think not my dog is a really fast runner that's why she only got his back legs he would have made it to the yard if she was going the speed limit
2015-06-08 06:15:02 · answer #5 · answered by sarah 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not believe that the driver would be held responsible. The dog is partially responsible for the accident as he was in the street. I'm serious.
I am sorry for your friend although the dog shouldn't have been in the street in the first place but sometimes it is just an accident. My best friend's 2 year old Golden got hit by a car, he bolted out of the front door as someone was coming in (he saw a squirrel). He had to be out down as his back was broken and his spinal cord severed.
It would have been proper for the driver to stop though.
2006-09-11 10:58:37 · answer #6 · answered by msnite1969 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am saddened by your friend's loss.
You don't say where you are located but here in the USA it is illegal in most cities for a dogowner to let their dog off their property other than on a leash. Your friend may actually be responsible to any damage to the car.
I luckily have never hit a dog but I have witnessed - it was terrible. What made it even more horrible there was no visible means of contacting the owner.
2006-09-11 11:17:08 · answer #7 · answered by Bad M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, there isn't a legal responsibility for the driver of the car. There is, however a legal responsibility of the pet owner to pay for any damages to the vehicle.
Dogs are not allowed to run at large not damage others property. It's the law.
The car that hit it SHOULD have stopped morally. But the law deals only in legality.
2006-09-11 11:05:28 · answer #8 · answered by rolahey 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is your friends fault, she didn't control her dog. She is more likely to have legal responsability than the driver, she could be sued for damages to the car. Her dog should not have been loose and in the street.
2006-09-11 16:56:27 · answer #9 · answered by whpptwmn 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Although this is a "hit and run", the owner is responsible for not having the dog secured in her yard or on a leash. hard lesson learned, hopefully it won't happen again. Poor dog.
2006-09-11 11:39:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋