Thread: Pet hit and run

Me and my family were outside playing volleyball. At 5 o'clock p.m. a school bus hit our dog.
the facts:
1. bus was driving high rate of speed
a. our neighbors, a police officer ( off duty at time) saw and was a witness of speed and drivers unability to slow down.
b. a girl on the bus who lives down the street ran to our house and said " the driver said she rather hit the dog rather than a mail box."
2. We took the dog, Jasmine, to the vet and is fine, for the exceptional $533.78 bill for stiches, etc.
a. our neighbor, the cop, called the school district right away and gave excatly what happened to a supervisor which admitted she knew about the accident.


Now the school district states there is nothing they can do about the bill because the driver made the right decision and that's that!
What is or, please point me, on how or what to do. I feel the driver is soully responsible, it should of slowed down when he/she saw us outside with our kids.

I was told by the police officer that if a car hits and injuried an animal or person all laws still apply: stop and render aid. what do you know about this law or does it even exisit, Jeffrey San Antonio,Texas

If you win your case, all you will get will be the vet bill.
To win, here is what you will need to prove:
(1) the driver was negligent (speeding, not paying attention, something like that); and
(2) your dog did not cause the accident (ran out into the road or something like that).
If you think you can win, you'll have a tough time getting an attorney involved because the amount is so low. Small claims may be a good option, if available in your State.

As you have stated here that school authority has told you that there is nothing you can do and I think you have already spend 533$ i dont think you want to spend more on lawyers.

I do not know if you would win or not. I know in most places there is a leash law that requires you to have your dog on a leash. You would need to check into what the law in your town is. Also I think you would have a hard time getting a judge to award you your damages in this case. You would have to get the judge to think it would have been better to stop quickly, and that may have caused students to be through out of there seat. Also if they swerved they may have tossed the kids around. I am sory that i do not agree with you in this case.

Sure you'll win the case. But my wonder grew extremely when the school told you there's nothing they can do? Are they ignorant about this or just try to cover up their fault? Also, are you sure to spend to hire a lawyer. Will you also get the money you spend when you won the case? I guess it's the right that matters here.

Why wasn't the dog on a leash? Dogs are like kids, don't trust them until they understand. I am in favor of the bus driver's decision? Good luck.

Originally Posted by Court Reporting

As you have stated here that school authority has told you that there is nothing you can do and I think you have already spend 533$ i dont think you want to spend more on lawyers.

He has point, but still punishment should be put to that driver, he should be more careful, what if its not a dog???

You already paid the amount to vet & now you will pay to lawyers.........
I think you must ask to school authority to out court settlement....
it would be good for both,you & school.

I think the point has been questioned? Leash law. The pet is under the responsibilty and control of it's owner. If an pet is permitted into a access area where traffic occurs, sorry but the owner is responsible. It's a terrible lesson to learn...I know