Legality of a Hit and Run?

Local paper a few days ago some hunting dogs got ran over and the owner is suing for 3M (750K for mental anguish X 2, plus 750K for punitive damages X 2). Years back when I was a child my dad ran over a hunting dog, next thing I knew my dad floored it, when I looked back the hunter had his rifle pointed at us (he didn't shoot, maybe he was using the scope to get our plates, but I didn't like looking down the business end of a rifle). We didn't call the cops because the hunter would likely be gone by the time we got to a phone (no cell back then, rural america towns are miles apart).

I know that if you hit someone's pet the right thing to do is to pull over and try to make things right as best as possible. But sometimes it doesn't pay to do the right thing. I've made up my mind that if I plow over Lasie I'm flooring the gas pedal. But my question is, how legal is that?

P.S. I've never hit a person, but if I do I'll stop. If I get out of the car or stay in the car with the engine running depends on how safe I feel.

Ranger2016-05-13T09:54:36Z

Favorite Answer

Whether or not it is legal depends upon which state you live in. Each state passes it's own laws on whether you have to stop for an animal. In my state Oregon, you are required to stop and render aid to the animal, if it is safe to stop.

goz11112016-05-13T09:55:17Z

In the USA one is free to sue but can one collect is a different matters, general the courts considered animals property, if the case the hunter wouldn't be able to claim mental anguish or punitive damages

WRG2016-05-13T09:53:14Z

Notice the person is sueing and it is not a criminal act. He will also likely lose his suit. If the owner of the dogs allowed the dogs to be in the street any court is going to rule that it is his fault.

Skoda John2016-05-14T09:16:18Z

If the dogs are loose on the road then the dogs owner is responsible for any damage caused by hitting the dog.

?2017-03-09T06:12:40Z

The driver is also at fault if he continues to drive away. That can be considered a felony?

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