By Raymond Neupert/South Metro Observer
WESTON, Wis – A rash of pet injuries caused by vehicles is prompting officials to remind drivers to stop if they hit a cat or dog.
Wausau/Everest Metro Humane officer Ashlee Bishop says drivers really need to make sure they’re doing the right thing by stopping to check on the condition of a pet they might have injured.
“One case in particular the person who actually struck the animal actually continued on their way and didn’t stop at all,” Bishop said.
In that case, the dog that was injured was lucky, because someone else called police, which meant Bishop was able to contact the owner and made sure the dog received timely treatment.
There is an ordinance in place in both Wausau and the Everest Metro area that requires drivers to stop their vehicles if they strike a dog or cat or some other pet animal. Bishop says doing so is also just good policy and the right thing to do.
“It’s not always the driver’s fault for striking the animal, but we need to know that it’s happened,” she said.
If you do strike an animal, the best thing to do is to pull over safely and then call the county’s non-emergency dispatch number at 715-261-7795.
“It is very important that you are not the one making the decisions for the animals because if they are a stray it is up to the municipality and the Humane Society to do that,” Bishop said.
You’ll want to make sure to give information on if the animal’s still alive, if it ran away and if so what direction it went.
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