Q: Someone hit my dog and drove off. Can I hold them accountable for animal cruelty?
My dog snuck out of the house and ran towards a car that was going down the street pretty fast. The car slowed down slightly as my dog ran towards it and she bounced off of their tire. The car never stopped and sped off down the road as I tried to flag them down. My dog went into shock, but we believe she is unhurt. There were no damages to the car either, but I am livid that this person wouldn't even stop to check if the dog was alright. I know that legally we are responsible for the dog being in/near the road, but this is not the only car that speeds down our street, nor the first time one of our dogs has almost been hit. Can I take any legal action against them for speeding down the road and not even stopping? I read somewhere that they could be charged with animal cruelty for not stopping and checking on the well being of the dog or reporting it.
A: I doubt it. If they violate a speed law that's one thing. However duty to stop is if property is damaged and they caused it. Your pooch ran into them, it sounds like. Time to dog proof your fence.
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