In New Hampshire, killing a cat may lead to $1000 fine accordin to new bill

[FfFfFfFF 58,133]

Nine lives notwithstanding, killing a cat in a hit-and-run soon could become illegal in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire was ahead of the pack when it passed a law nearly 40 years ago that requires drivers who injure or kill dogs to notify police or the animals’ owners, or else face a $1,000 fine. It is unclear why cats and other pets were left out, but the state Legislature is currently considering an expansion that would give cats and canines equal standing.

“It’s a categorical imperative: You have to report,” chimed in Sen. David Watters, D-Dover.

Republican Rep. Daryl Abbas sponsored the bill on behalf of his wife, who found their 5-year-old cat, Arrow, dead on the street near their Salem home in July 2019. The partially blind black and gray tabby had once again achieved his “daily goal” of escaping from the house and was hit by a car, Abbas said.

“I remember telling my wife, ‘It’s an accident, we have to forgive the person,’ but I was more upset that the person didn’t stop,” he said. “Who doesn’t stop?”

“These laws are really a nationwide trend to recognize that animals are more than your property, they are living, feeling beings. They have the capacity to suffer, and they’re deserving of positive experiences as well,” she said. “These laws really recognize that sentience and also the bond between animals and their human companions.”

https://apnews.com/article/dogs-oddities-lifestyle-government-and-politics-laws-c4c3a4c0ada6f3eedb7aefc88fcabdb7

[js4754394o9823 6,882]

Should be so much more

[PartySick 172,545]

Good. I dislike cats personally but I've seen people literally swerve to hit animals in the road  they're the worst kind of pricks.

The fine for hurting a dog better be a million dollars though

[Stupid Oreo 14,669]

i dislike cats a lot

 

every neighbor just lets them walk around, and they keep pooping in gardens etc. and dog owners need to pay taxes while they clean it up! 

 

and penultimately, a cat attacked my bunnies in the middle of the night last year, and now he has 3 legs

 

so its ok i guess that they did this, but it wont help

[Debithius 6,056]

How do you contact the owner if the cat doesn't have a collar? 

[FfFfFfFF 58,133]

20 minutes ago, Debithius said:

How do you contact the owner if the cat doesn't have a collar? 

The bill says that they have the option of reporting it at to the police or contacting the owners (1 of these 2, or both).

[Kadikaado 4,302]

I think each case is a different case and sometimes is very hard to stop and assist the animal because animals tend to run away and usually hide after an accident and if they stay on the place it's because it was an instant death. Notifying the owner is also hard because most dogs/cats have no collar with identification.

[FfFfFfFF 58,133]

8 minutes ago, Kadikaado said:

I think each case is a different case and sometimes is very hard to stop and assist the animal because animals tend to run away and usually hide after an accident and if they stay on the place it's because it was an instant death. Notifying the owner is also hard because most dogs/cats have no collar with identification.

Most animals hit by cars die either on the place of the accident, or close to it (some but not all run way, and if they survived the initial hit they are likely to survive). And the bill says that the person responsible for the accident are required to contact the owner or notify the police (1 of these 2, doesn't say both).

[Kadikaado 4,302]

3 minutes ago, FfFfFfFF said:

Most animals hit by cars die either on the place of the accident, or close to it (some but not all run way, and if they survived the initial hit they are likely to survive). And the bill says that the person responsible for the accident are required to contact the owner or notify the police (1 of these 2, doesn't say both).

I watched some accidents (around 10 - I live in a busy avenue with lots of irresponsible dog owners) and the animals I watched that survived hid in unaccessible places (under huge bushes or inside holes), the only time I didn't see it running was because the accident made the dog unable to move his back legs (that was really sad).

[FfFfFfFF 58,133]

Just now, Kadikaado said:

I watched some accidents (around 10 - I live in a busy avenue with lots of irresponsible dog owners) and the animals I watched that survived hid in unaccessible places (under huge bushes or inside holes), the only time I didn't see it running was because the accident made the dog unable to move his back legs (that was really sad).

That's sad.  The majority of animals that were part of an accident die on the scene though. The ones that are able to hide are likely to survive with proper help. The best thing to do is not only to notify the police or owners but to call a vet in that moment.

[ssslyboy 3,273]

I love love love cats so much so I support this 

[Debithius 6,056]

1 hour ago, FfFfFfFF said:

The bill says that they have the option of reporting it at to the police or contacting the owners (1 of these 2, or both).

I am not sure what the police is going to do either if there is no collar.

[Economy 52,861]

2 hours ago, Debithius said:

How do you contact the owner if the cat doesn't have a collar? 

I guess u have to call the police

[Debithius 6,056]

15 minutes ago, Economy said:

I guess u have to call the police

There is literally nothing they can do without a collar. Just move the body.

 

[sarahb 17,188]

6 minutes ago, Debithius said:

There is literally nothing they can do without a collar. Just move the body.

Take it to the vet and check it for a microchip