Hit and run on Goivernment Beach road

[Kapohocat]

POG, I started a new thread on the issue of dog restraints. I respect your opinions but can I get you to move it to the new thread and let the OP grieve.

I grieved the loss of Mr Happy even though it was my fault.

[missydog1]

The driver of the vehicle had an obligation to stop. I know that I've read somewhere in Hawai'i animal laws that a driver who hits an animal is required to stop and notify someone (if not render aid). I tried to find the law but failed, did find a 2008 article on the push to get legislatures to address hit and run cases with animal victims.

cwaters, you may like to read the article:

Dog Killed in Hit & Run, Pet Owners Want Stiffer Penalties
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=8434261&nav=menu55_2

I am curious if anyone knows whether the bill was passed. I suppose the answer could be gotten by calling the Humane Society.

I know how this feels too, as I went through the hit and run with one of my kittens about seven years ago. My beautiful kitten was struck and left lying by the highway. (She lived quite far from it, but I think she got chased and spooked).

I understood in that case why she was hit, and don't blame the driver for the accident, but I was bummed because she had a Humane Society tag on her collar, and it would have been easy to notify me, but the driver didn't care to deal with it. Had not a neighbor seen the body before a third person (who didn't notify me either) removed it, I would never have known her fate. As it was, I never knew how she was disposed of, even though I called all the agencies. I would have liked to bury her and have some closure.

Animal owners often do love pets as family members, so I think it is very important to take responsibility, even for accidents, to do what we can to mitigate the pain and suffering of an animal or its owner's grief. Sure it would take personal bravery to stop and face someone's heartbreak, but stepping up and being brave (or at least following the law) is what a good person does.

If this dog had been in the road it still would have been a very sad accident, but the fault would perhaps be split between driver (going too fast to control vehicle ) and the owner, but as the dog was on private property, the driver is probably at fault, barring some road hazard that absolutely caused the swerve. Come on, there is no leash law on private property ... if an owner knows that the dog knows to stay out of the road, it ought to be safe to let it hang out.

I too am scared of loose stranger dogs that follow me when I walk, but this was not the case here, so why let those feelings about OTHER dogs that were a bit of a menace come into play in the situation of this poor dog, who was not bothering anyone, and simply got struck down on his own home turf?

So sad.

[MarkP]

I should probably refrain from commenting as Obie should have, but I am a sucker for a good argument, as Obie appears to be. I am very sympathetic to the bereaved owners of the dog but that does not keep me from being appreciative of Obie's point of view. Many of his observations are valid. The real gripe seems to be that he should have chosen this moment to present them since the original poster was looking for sympathy. Therein lies the rub. This is a public forum and by virtue of making the original post, the opinions of the general public were solicited, some of whom won't be able to resist discussing the nuts and bolts of cars swerving on gravel at 45 mph, the estimation of vehicle speed, and various factors pertaining to pet/vehicle collisions.

I have been reading consumer reviews of washing machines in preparation for replacing my 17 year old unit. Reviews for the same unit vary all over the spectrum. I was particularly taken by the review written by one woman who claimed that her front loading washing machine had almost immediately begun to smell like mold, that she had been suffering with this problem for months, and that the manufacturer was incompetent or unwilling to address her problem. She and others claimed that these mold issues were even affecting the health of members of the household. So be it. I can believe that such things could happen, but her final statement ruined her credibility. It was "I can't believe that my asthmatic son is still alive". I'll be charitable and say that she has gotten carried away because of the emotional nature of her problem and the presence of others on that particular forum willing to blindly commiserate. Otherwise, she is a fool who should have her children taken away from her because she cares more about getting her money back than about the health of her children. You can see how different people viewing the same topic from different angles can bring their own perspectives to bear and sometimes be viewed as "crazy" or "heartless" by others. The internet does that.

[Carey]

I am very sorry that this accident happened. I do know how much animals mean to many owners, but also do know that some people do not have the same love of these furry family members...

Kathy, The law for the driver is in the Hawaii County Code, Chapter 4 sec 4-16
http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/Weblink8/...Page1.aspx

It is also up to the driver to try and notify the owner.

So no matter where the dog was, it was the drivers obligation, BY LAW, to stop, render aid if needed, make sure that the dog was not in the roadway, and to try to notify the owner....

[jackson]

Folks, Don't want to tell anyone what to do, but this should not turn into a forum for some who want to exercise the intellectual arguing muscles. How about we all just let the OP grieve in peace from here on out. Points have been made but there is still someone in pain. It's not about us or our opinions which we have all stated. Being right doesn't make anyone happy.

[oink]

I'm sorry for the loss of your pet. I personally think of dogs as dogs and cats as cats. I don't see them as people or children. However I had to shoot my cat last year and I do still miss Jessica at times. She was a good cat. My wife, however, does not take the demise of pets well at all. Although people living in rural areas usually don't get real emotionally attached to dogs and cats, I have a couple of very macho kick as and take names type friends and they both get very emotional over the loss of a pet or at least a dog, so I understand your grief. I hope your spirits are lifted soon.

quote:

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but stepping up and being brave (or at least following the law) is what a good person does.

---

Really?

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[missydog1]

Thank you, Carey.
I can rely on you to find info! That's the section I wanted. Duty upon striking an animal.
Btw, that whole section on animal law is something I believe it might be useful for folks here to at least look over, as Carey has conveniently shared it. The laws here may differ widely from the place you used to live.

cwaters was not only looking for sympathy, but had issues with the driver. I just wanted her to know that the woman indeed had a legal obligation to stop, aside from any ethical duty. She did not stop, so you could file a complaint. That might be a waste of your energy, but if it would make you feel better, check into it.

Again, my empathy to you in this sad time for you.

[dmbwest]

Thanks Kapohocat,

Linked right over to this thread before or would have posted on your new one.

aloha,
pog