WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Looking for hit-run driver who hurt a dog

| Crime | West Seattle news

Jerica says she knows it’s a long shot, but she’s hoping someone might have information about the hit-and-run crash that injured her dog a week and a half ago:

My dog was hit by a silver sports car on Alki Beach Thursday evening, May 25, in the area near the 2222 apartments [map]. The car didn’t stop and was speeding and passing the car in front of them into oncoming traffic, which was why they likely were unable to to brake in time to prevent hitting her. She’s a Great Dane and would have likely done some damage to the car.

Her dog did survive. If you have any information, contact police and refer to case #2017-200908.

Chuck June 5, 2017 (11:12 pm)

Awww. Poor pup! I’m pretty sure I talked to you while out walking my old lab a couple of years ago (just not that many Great Danes on Alki or anywhere), so this is particularly unsettling. Sorry this happened to you and your sweet dog–and I hope the moron driver is caught!

Jerica June 6, 2017 (12:12 pm)

Chuck~ Thankyou for the message, yeah she turned 4 on Tuesday (23rd) and was hit Thursday. She came away with stitches on her left knee -likely from the landing not the actual impact from the car. Between the lowness of the sports car and Gaia’s height it resulted in a best case scenario given what could’ve been. She’s resilient and I’m so grateful.
- Chuck June 6, 2017 (1:41 pm)
  
  I’m so glad Gaia will be okay–and what a great name she has!

Oakley34 June 6, 2017 (5:47 am)

Hit and Run (even of a dog) is serious. I’d contact businesses along Alki to see if any have camera footage of this car. I hope for your dog’s full recovery.

Brenda June 6, 2017 (6:14 am)

This is serious. Thank u for sharing. Check for footage right there. You must have been so scared for your dog. How scary. I’m so glad your dog is healing up and okay.

Archie June 6, 2017 (7:11 am)

Oakley34, hit and run of a dog is actually not considered to be anything. Compassionate people will stop and respond, but there is no legal requirement to do so.

Alan June 6, 2017 (1:02 pm)

I don’t think that is true, Archie. It may depend on the circumstance. If the dog were off leash and running into traffic, it would likely be viewed differently than one on a leash. It sounds like this one was walking on leash with the owner. I also don’t think an officer would have taken a report if no crime was involved.

Here is a report on a case where the dog was killed:

http://komonews.com/news/local/hit-and-run-driver-kills-dog-whoever-did-this-is-a-coward

Of note is the discussion of what the person could be charged with:

“If caught, the driver could be arrested for hit and run, said Det. Drew Fowler with the Seattle Police Department. The driver could also be cited for failing to yield the right-of-way to a person in a crosswalk.

“Dogs are viewed as property of the owner by the law,” Fowler said. “Whether you hit a person or property or a car, by law, it’s your responsibility to stop and exchange information.””

Jerica June 6, 2017 (12:18 pm)

That is shocking Archie ~ I assume between the recklessness of the car zooming into oncoming traffic speeding along ALKI AVE (It was about 9:30pm on the 25th) that there was alcohol involved. I asked the officer when filing the report if the cameras along the beach could be viewed to determine the vehicle and he said it could not due to public protest that it was infringement of privacy. Just trying to take in the positives (my Dane is at this point just bored from home rest and no dog park. Thankyou for the info

KD June 6, 2017 (5:15 pm)

@ Jerica; The officer was referring to the proposed city cameras, but you can still investigate and ask businesses along the way to view their cameras.

Treesallneed June 7, 2017 (11:58 pm)

I don’t understand really what happened..? The (likely intoxicated) speeding car, was passing another car, and zooming into oncoming traffic, which precluded the driver from stopping, and therefore hit the on-leash dog.

Sorry, comment time is over.