And who says the US is lawsuit crazy?

I side with the driver of the car.
We have $1,000. ins deductible. One night a few months, ago I hit, and killed a big dog. His owner was ready to turn in driveway... with the dog along side his car . It had apparently run out to greet him. I was driving blind into his headlights...why didn't he just flash me or pull off the edge? I slowed down anyways...but not enough to see the dog in time.
I paid $1300 repairs be out of pocket. Turning it into ins would have just raise my rates.
The idiot owner should pay.

I have animals, that I just love to pieces, so it broke my heart. I was in a funk for days.

Fester, a miniature pinscher, ran into the road.

Give me a break. Poor little Fester was hardly the size of a St. Bernard.
How much damage could he do? I can imagine the lawsuit this guy would have if his car ran into a Minnesota moose. Say, doesn't this guy have car insurance anyway? Why does he need to sue the dog's owners? How high is his deductible?

CaliChris,

I just got a small ding in my front bumper....just about 1k to fix. since most bumper covers are plastic/fiberglass...they shatter, and they are not cheap to replace and paint.

" How much damage could he do?"

it was a honda, it's held together by chewing gum and toothpicks from the factory, i'm amazed it's not totaled.

A farmer is responsible for live stock if it is not in a marked range area. It would seem a pet should be the same.

I have no problem with pets, but with their idiot owners who are not responsible. They take their dog out for a walk and instead of picking up their dog crap in bag, they just leave it there. Others let their pets run around lose without collars and stuff. Good for the driver, I hope he wins.

Given the size of mini-pinschers, this is crap. Those dogs are barely larger than a chihuahua That thing would have hardly left a stain on the guy's tires.