Handling a Dog Accident: Essential Steps & Tips

When you accidentally hit a dog, what should you do? Do you need to compensate, and if so, how? Here's a summary of what you need to know about this issue today.

Can you leave the scene after hitting a dog without reporting it?

No, doing so might be considered hitandrun!

A traffic accident is defined as an event where a vehicle causes personal injury or property damage on the road due to fault or an accident. If the dog is a stray, not belonging to an individual, it does not fall under the category of traffic accidents. However, if it's a pet dog, it becomes someone's personal property, and thus, it is considered a traffic accident.

After a traffic accident, if you flee the scene, you could face legal consequences. A firsttime offense can result in a 12point deduction and a fine of 2000 yuan.

In August 2015, a Mr. Li in Zhejiang hit a dog while driving and left the scene after checking his car for blood or damage. He assumed the dog owner wouldn't catch up and drove away. However, he later received a fine of 2000 yuan and a 12point deduction for hitandrun. This incident teaches us not to leave the scene after hitting a dog on the road, as there are many cameras that can capture your license plate number.

Therefore, after hitting a dog, you must stop, call the police, and report the incident to your insurance company!

If it's a stray dog, and you have car damage insurance, the insurance company can cover the vehicle damage. If you must treat the stray dog, keep the medical bill receipt, and you may be eligible for compensation.

Do you have to compensate if you hit a pet dog?

Not necessarily.

After the dog owner arrives, you should ask for a dog license. If there isn't one, it can't be proven that the dog is their legal property. Not having a dog license is generally against local dog management regulations and does not receive the corresponding protection.

For rare breeds, the owner must also provide breed and price proof.

How to compensate depends on various situations.

Scenario 1: The dog is on a leash, and the owner is walking it normally when it's hit.

As long as the dog owner is not deliberately causing a scam, the driver is usually held fully responsible, as the dog owner has fulfilled their duty to protect their pet.

Scenario 2: The dog is not on a leash, and the vehicle is driving normally.

Not leashing a dog is against dog management regulations, and if an accident occurs, the dog owner is fully responsible, and the driver does not need to take responsibility.

Scenario 3: The dog is not on a leash, and the vehicle is driving illegally.

Both parties have fault in this case, and the responsibility is usually split equally. Specific details may require mediation. If mediation fails, legal action must be taken.

How to value the dog?

The dog license is crucial, along with breed identification certificates or bloodline proof.

The dog license is the legal identification of the dog, and if the dog owner cannot provide it, the driver has the right to refuse compensation.

Since there are many types of domestic animals and pets with varying prices, it's difficult to determine the compensation standard in insurance claims. Pet owners often have emotional attachments to their pets, making it hard to put a monetary value on them.

Therefore, many pet owners become emotional and may ask for exorbitant amounts after their pet is hit and killed, making negotiations difficult.

Here are some principles to remember to avoid such situations in the valuation and compensation of domestic animals and pets:

Have proof and evidence, providing relevant documents that can identify the pet's identity. Negotiate the compensation, and if an agreement cannot be reached, have a thirdparty department conduct an assessment.

Use the item as intended, deducting residual value or selling it at a discounted price for compensation, except in areas where dead meat cannot be consumed.

In cases where a pet is injured or killed in an accident with cattle, sheep, or other animals, it is necessary to report to the insurance company and request police involvement. Private settlements are not recommended. The police, police stations, townships, village committees, and animal husbandry and veterinary departments should participate in the negotiation and handling of the matter.

What to do when a dog suddenly appears in the path of a moving vehicle?

With an increasing number of stray dogs on the roads, they not only lack care but also pose a safety risk. Some drivers, upon encountering stray dogs on highways, may instinctively brake or swerve sharply, which is extremely dangerous and can easily lead to vehicle loss of control.

If there's no way to avoid hitting the dog, you must hit it straight on without making any sudden maneuvers with the steering wheel.