Do you have to stop if you hit a dog? Here’s What to Expect

Am I Liable for Hitting a Dog With My Car?

Most jurisdictions have ordinances requiring that owners keep their pets under control at all times. If a free-running animal hits or is hit by your vehicle, you are not likely to be held liable. The owner may be cited and may be held responsible for costs associated with the accident. This may include any medical bills for the animal, and may also include repair of any damage to your vehicle. However, if the accident was caused in part by your negligence as a driver, you may be held to be at fault and liable for the value of the animal.

An attorney writing for justanswer.com notes that in most states, a pet is considered personal property, and a hit and run that results in property damage carries a criminal penalty. You could be charged with animal cruelty or failure to notify owners of property damage. Laws can vary from state to state, but as a general rule, you should stop after hitting a dog or other domestic animal. If the owner is present, you may give them your information like you would after a car accident. If the owner is not on the scene, its especially important for you to contact your local police department, an animal care agency, or even call 911. Contacting the authorities will demonstrate that you made a good faith effort to help the animal.

Keep in mind that a number of states, such as Colorado, Maryland, Ohio, and California, have already enacted laws that protect first responders for pets that need emergency aid. Other states, including New York and Wisconsin, have similar laws that are pending.

What to do if you hit a dog while driving

Every situation can be different, but there are a few general steps you can take to help:

Dont move the dog, if possible: Injured dogs can be aggressive, and their actions can be unpredictable. If possible, dont move the dog, as you could end up being bitten or doing more damage to the dog. If the dog must be moved out of the road, put a blanket, jacket, or other covering over it to help protect the dog and yourself.

Call the police: You should never leave the accident until youve contacted the police or animal control. This is a legal requirement in many states, and you could end up in legal trouble if you simply drive away. Pets are considered personal property in most states, so if youre responsible for a hit and run involving a pet, any injuries or the loss of the pet could be regarded as property damage. In addition, you could be charged with animal cruelty if you leave the scene after hitting a pet. The police will tell you how to proceed and file a police report if they deem it necessary. Animal control should aid the animal if the owner cant be located.

Contact the owner: If the dog has a tag with contact information on it, you should contact the owner and inform them of the accident. The police may also contact the owner on your behalf.

Notify your insurer: If your car has been damaged and you wish to file a claim for the damage, youll need to notify your insurer of the accident. Theyll ask for details of the accident, including photos of the damage. Even if your vehicle wasnt damaged, its still a good idea to notify your insurer of the accident.

What Should I Do After Hitting a Dog With My Car?

An authoritative answer to that question proved surprisingly difficult to find. Some of the advice given on the internet seemed problematical, at best. Failing to find a reliable source on the web, I turned to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in the hope that they would have a recommended procedure. My thanks to the Cumberland County, New Jersey SPCA (CCSPCA) for providing direction regarding this issue. The following steps are my understanding of what a driver should immediately do when his or her vehicle hits a domestic animal.

Stop your car. Get out where it is safe to do so.

Check on the animal. If the dog is still alive, call for assistance and wait until help arrives. Move the animal only if you can do so safely and its necessary to prevent further injury or possible accidents from cars swerving to avoid hitting it.

Use caution when moving the dog. A hurt and scared animal can become aggressive and lash out or bite. If possible, try to muzzle it with some type of fabric. You can use gloves and a blanket or jacket for protection as well.

If no owner is present, check the dog for tags. You can use the information on the tag to contact the owner. If there are people around, you can also ask if they recognize the dog and can identify the owner.

Call the police or animal control for assistance. They can make sure the dog is taken to a veterinarian where it can receive care. The vet can also scan for an identification microchip.

Injured animals in shock may act uncharacteristically. You are at risk of bite or injury if tending to an animal in distress. Always proceed with caution.

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To most people, a pet is another member of the family. They do everything that they can to keep their pet safe and happy. It’s reasonable to expect others to be careful to keep pets safe, too. Unfortunately, tragedies with pets and vehicles are all too common.

Too many families lose a loved one when their pet is involved in a tragic vehicle accident. You might wonder if there are any laws in place to protect pets and whether you need to work with a personal injury attorney if your pet was injured. Because we put such a high value on the safety and security of our pets, it makes sense that there are laws in place to protect our pets. Here’s what to know about Florida pet hit and run laws.

It’s illegal to flee the scene if you hit a pet while you’re operating a vehicle. If you hit a pet, you must stop your car and remain at the scene. You must either make contact with the pet’s owner and exchange information or call the police. It’s a misdemeanor in Tampa and in the entire State of Florida to commit a hit and run involving a dog or other pet.