Leaving scene of injury to certain animals without reporting is a classified as a traffic infraction. If you are cited for committing this offense you will have to pay a fine of up to $100. For subsequent offenses the fine will be $50-$150. However, if the animal is a service dog then the fine would be $50-$150 for the first offense and $150-$300 for subsequent offenses.
Any person operating a motor vehicle which shall strike and injure any horse, dog, cat or animal classified as cattle shall stop and endeavor to locate the owner or custodian of such animal or a police, peace or judicial officer of the vicinity, and take any other reasonable and appropriate action so that the animal may have necessary attention, and shall also promptly report the matter to such owner, custodian or officer (or if no one of such has been located, then to a police officer of some other nearby community), exhibiting his or her license and insurance identification card for such vehicle, when such card is required pursuant to articles six and eight of this chapter, giving his or her name and residence, including street and street number, insurance carrier and insurance identification information and license number. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars for a first offense and by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than one hundred fifty dollars for a second offense and each subsequent offense; provided, however where the animal that has been struck and injured is a guide dog, hearing dog or service dog, as such terms are defined in section forty-seven-b of the civil rights law which is actually engaged in aiding or guiding a person with a disability, a violation of this section shall be publishable by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than one hundred fifty dollars for a first offense and by a fine of not less than one hundred fifty dollars nor more than three hundred dollars for a second offense and each subsequent offense.
In order to be convicted of leaving of injury to certain animals without reporting, you must have known that you hit and injured an animal. For example, if it is dark outside and you hit a dog without knowing it, you have valid defense to such a charge. Also, if the animal is not a cat, dog, horse, or animal that is considered cattle, then you cannot be convicted for leaving scene of injury to certain animals without reporting.
Although leaving of injury to certain animals without reporting is not a crime but a traffic violation, if you are cited for this you could be required to pay a fine. Furthermore, if you are convicted points will be added to your driving record leading to an increase in your insurance rate and the possible suspension of your license. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates has years of experience successfully defending clients in New York criminal courts who have been charged with criminal mischief as well as other felonies and misdemeanors such as grand larceny, burglary, and assault. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We serve those accused of larceny in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.
While driving through a residential neighborhood, a dog runs in front of Kylies SUV. Although Kylie slammed on her breaks, she ended up hitting the dog. The dog lay in the street whimpering. Kylie asked a few bystanders for the name of the dogs owner, but no one could provide the information. So Kylie went home. Kylie could be cited for leaving the scene of injury to certain animals without reporting. Even though she was unable to obtain the name of the owner of the dog, she could have called the police. Furthermore, she made no effort to make sure the dog received appropriate attention.
What to Do if You Hit a Dog
It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood as I drove toward the house where I used to live. At the intersection where I was about to turn onto my street, a group of youngsters was happily playing on the sidewalk.
Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a shape hurtle off the sidewalk, into the street, and straight into my moving car. For a terrifying moment, I thought I had hit a child. But, oh so thankfully, it turned out to be a dog.
Of course, I jammed on the brakes, and as the car came to a stop, the children who had been playing on the sidewalk ran up to the injured animal, picked it up, and carried it away. Seeing that the dog was being cared for, I remained in my car and went on my way.
Because the apparent owners of the animal were on the scene, and immediately took charge of their pet, it seemed to me at the time that I had no further responsibility in the matter. But as I continued to think back on this incident in the several years since it occurred, I became more and more disturbed that I had no idea what my legal obligations would be if I ran over a dog. What, exactly, is a driver supposed to do when their vehicle hits (or, as in my case, is hit by) a dog, cat, or another domestic animal? What is he or she required to do?
How does car insurance cover hitting a dog?
Comprehensive coverage can pay for damage to your vehicle caused by hitting a dog or other animal. You would pay your car insurance deductible after filing a claim, and your insurer would cover the rest of the repair costs. Your insurance company may also approach the dogs owner and request that their homeowners insurance company compensate them for the cost to repair your vehicle. This occurs in cases where the pet owner is found negligent for not having their dog under control at the time of the accident.