I was going to drop my kid off at school when a dog ran between two cars and my back tire ran over a portion of the dog. I slowed down and stopped not knowing what to do and watched the dog hop up and hobble away into an adjoining back yard. What seemed to be the owner followed the dog into the back yard. I immediately pulled over but had to roll up my windows as my dog was riding along. I waited a few houses away not really knowing how to react and asking my kid what she thought I should do. When the dog quickly wandered off she wasn’t sure how I should act either.

What do I do? My initial hesitancy is tied to the dog quickly walking away into what looked like it’s home and the owner slowly following it away. I’m concerned of getting into the middle of a highly emotional situation if the dog needs to go to the vet. If the dog lay lifeless I would have had no issue with getting out and consoling as needed. Is there a difference? I think also am concerned I’ll get told I’m responsible and need to help cover any vet costs.

  • norimee@lemmy.world
    7·
    3 months ago

    And by the way. You ARE responsible and need to help cover the vet bills.

    For the law alone, you damaged another person’s property.

    From the moral standpoint, you insured someone’s pet, a living being. You have absolutely a moral obligation to take responsibility.

    And as a parent, you have a moral obligation to teach your children to take responsibility for your actions and mistakes. Even if it cost you.

    • cleverusername@lemm.ee
      14·
      3 months ago

      Legally the dog owner is responsible.

      Financially the dog owner is responsible.

      Morally the dog owner is responsible for their pets wellbeing.

      How could you get it so backwards? The dog owner failed to keep their dog safe and under control.

    • YaDownWitCPP@lemmy.worldEnglish
      12·
      3 months ago

      It is the owners responsibility to keep the dog out of the road. There is zero legal or moral responsibility to cover any vet bills.

      The only property damage that would even be considered is damage to the vehicle, which requires stopping, calling the police to file an accident report and then reporting the accident with documented damage to the car insurance company.