Lasy Wednesday morning my dog was struck by a motor vehicle. She was hit so hard the licsense plate of the vehicle came off. The man left the scene of the accident (which is illegal in NH). My dog was found by a guy who works for the highway dept. He called me (my # is on my dogs collar) and we rushed her to the hospital. She sustained some internal injuries and many external lacerations. She spent 4 days in the vet hospital. She is expected to make a "full" recovery. But I am wondering if I should persue pressing charges just on the fact he left the scene of an accident. Any feed back will be helpful... but please no bantering. I know what my responsiblity here is and I am making strides to correcting that so it will never happen again!
2007-03-17 09:24:04 · 28 answers · asked by kasmik911 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I would definately pursue this matter and press charges.Leaving the scene of an accident because it was a dog,what if it was a child or a person in general.Teach this idiot a lessen.Somebody has to.I would also sue for all your vet bills,that is or should be the hitters responsibility.I know if I hit an animal at least stop and make sure everything is alright or call the humane society or do something.Never leave anything or anyone you hit just laying there.Please Please teach this guy a lesson.Maybe the next time he will think twice before taking off.I live in Ontario and here the law is if you hit a dog you must report it but a cat you can keep driving ,this upsets me so much cause I love my cats just as much as somebody would there dog.Good Luck I hop to see it in the papers that you nailed this clown!!!
2007-03-17 09:32:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You might want to check what the 'leash laws' in NH are first. Though I feel bad for you that your dog got hit, and I cannot even imagine what kind of person it would take to leave the scene and leave the poor thing to die, and I think the person should pay for their actions, you may not have a case because for whatever reason your dog was loose in the street unattended. Most places place all responsiblility on the owner to keep the dog out of harms way. Good Luck!
2007-03-17 09:34:56 · answer #2 · answered by Crystal N 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Matters...was your dog restrained or roaming free? I don't mean to sound crass, but I will bet that the officers are going to wonder exactly how your dog was hit by the car. I am sure that there are violations you may be charged with if she wasn't restrained.
If she was restrained, yes, I would report him. Then I would sue him for your vet expenses as well.
Either way, I am glad your pup is doing OK. It is a hard thing to go through...
2007-03-17 09:36:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a dog vs automobile accident, the driver is not at fault unless the dog was not in the road, but in a yard. Sometimes, if the dog is in a low speed zone, a witness can accuse the driver of speeding in a residential neighborhood. There would be no recompense for damage/injury to the dog, though. However, hit and run IS illegal, and the culprit would get a ticket if caught. If you know who it was, and can prove it, you can turn in his license number and he will likely get a ticket and fine.
2007-03-17 09:35:35 · answer #4 · answered by Chetco 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why you wouldn't press charges since he hit the dog and left the scene and you say it is illegal where you live. The only thing you might want to consider is whether it is legal or not for your dog to be off leash or at large on the streets because though you may win this, you might also be slapped with a legal action for your dog not being on a leash with access to the street.
2007-03-17 09:30:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I feel for the suffering your dog has gone through but why exactly was he in the street? Maybe the driver should sue you for the damage done to his vehicle. you should not have allowed your dog to get into the street.
I hope you dog makes a full recovery.
2007-03-17 13:36:43 · answer #6 · answered by zboyet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the state where I worked for vets, not only would he not have to pay vet bills, but YOU would be liable for damages to his vehicle (license plate holder, etc). It is generally considered that the dog is your property, to be under your control & therefore you are responsible for any damage it causes.
2007-03-17 11:37:37 · answer #7 · answered by mustanglynnie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can call and make a report and you could sue in small claims court but the car owner (may not be the same person as the driver by the way) could countersue for repair cost for damage to the vehicle
2007-03-17 09:37:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My question to you is why was your dog out of the house/ yard to be HIT by the car.
I seriously would say that you should not sue him. He was on the road, where a vehicle should be. Your dog was in the road, where he should not be.
He may have left the scene, but he also called you, he could have left and not even checked for a tag
It's your responsability as the pet owner to keep your pet in his yard.
2007-03-17 09:31:28 · answer #9 · answered by tragedys_kiss 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Might be a good to start by searching your County's or City's Leash Laws. Every state is a little different. But if yours has very straight forward Leash Laws then it will be a waste of time.
2007-03-17 09:31:18 · answer #10 · answered by KittyCondos 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋