How to Handle Dog Traffic Accident Disputes

Every year, the number of dogs dying due to traffic accidents is by no means small, and disputes caused by such incidents are also frequent. So, in these traffic accidents, who is at fault, and how should we judge which party is responsible? Let's discuss the issue of how to handle dog traffic accident disputes.

First of all, according to the provisions of the "Road Traffic Safety Law," it clearly states that traffic accidents should be between "pedestrians and motor vehicles" or "motor vehicles and motor vehicles," excluding animals. Therefore, collisions between vehicles and animals do not fall under the scope of the "Road Traffic Safety Law" and are not considered traffic accidents but should be regarded as civil disputes. When a vehicle collides with a pet, if both parties keep arguing on the spot, it may lead to a stalemate. So the first step after an incident is to call the police and wait for them to arrive and handle the situation; this is the most efficient approach.

Dog Licenses Are Very Important for Dogs

1. Dog Licenses Play a Crucial Role in Handling Disputes

A dog license proves the identity of the dog. Only dogs with a license count as the legal "property" of their owners. If the dog owner hasn’t registered the dog, they are violating the law. Dogs without licenses naturally lack legal protection. Returning to the above topic, if a dog without a license is hit by a vehicle, legally, the driver has the right to refuse the owner’s compensation claim.

As the dog owner, if your dog doesn’t have a license, while you may feel sympathy for the hit dog, you must also recognize that you were violating rules first. In this case, demanding high compensation from the driver is unreasonable.

As a driver, even if the other party’s dog lacks a license, you are not required to pay compensation. However, since you did hit a dog, you must respect the other party and cannot just ignore the incident and walk away.

2. Whether the Dog Was on a Leash Is Key

If your dog has a license, then you can move on to discussing compensation for damages. But there is a second aspect that needs clarification — whether the dog was accompanied by the owner and tied with a leash, which determines responsibility distribution.

Dog on a Leash and No Traffic Violation — Driver Fully Responsible

If the dog owner walks the dog with a leash and the dog is hit by a vehicle, when the case is handled, the dog owner can emphasize this point. Generally, the driver will be judged fully responsible since the owner fulfilled the obligation to ensure the dog’s safety. The driver should compensate for the dog’s injuries or death accordingly.

Always Use a Leash When Taking Your Dog Out

Driver Drives Safely, Dog Not Leashed and Running Wild — Owner Fully Responsible

If the dog wasn’t on a leash and the vehicle was driving normally without violations, responsibility lies with the dog owner for failing to protect the dog. The owner should be fully responsible. However, from a moral perspective, the driver should not be cold or indifferent and should offer some consolation to the dog owner.

No Leash and Driver Violated Rules — Both Parties Responsible, Negotiate by Themselves

If the vehicle itself violated rules, such as speeding in parking lots, residential areas, or driving against traffic on one-way streets or in restricted zones, the driver is responsible for any accidents under such circumstances. If the dog involved also wasn’t leashed, both the dog owner and driver should share responsibility: one for illegal driving and the other for failing to protect the dog. The specific compensation should be negotiated under police mediation.

Therefore, whether the dog is leashed and having a proper license plays a significant role in these incidents. Owners must leash their dogs when going out and keep them under control within a safe range. Of course, dogs should also be properly licensed to become officially registered pets.