What to do about injured animal?

[Oldgringo]

The OP asked about an injured animal, but the conversation stayed in the "game" category so far. So, to expand this...what if it were a dog that was severely wounded?

I don't know. I've had a driver's license for better than a half century and to my knowledge never hit a dog or a cat. I did run over a rabbit one night on a gravel road outside of Cave-in-Rock, IL. circa 1958.

[WildBill]

The OP asked about an injured animal, but the conversation stayed in the "game" category so far. So, to expand this...what if it were a dog that was severely wounded?

I don't know. I've had a driver's license for better than a half century and to my knowledge never hit a dog or a cat. I did run over a rabbit one night on a gravel road outside of Cave-in-Rock, IL. circa 1958.

Call the police and ask for instructions.

[RCP]

The OP asked about an injured animal, but the conversation stayed in the "game" category so far. So, to expand this...what if it were a dog that was severely wounded?

I've actually been in this situation. I was going to put the dog down but my wife and daughter started throwing a fit and my daughter got down next to the dog and started petting it. I tried explaining it was suffering but in their minds I was being cruel by shooting it. Poor thing ended up dying while I was trying to get them to understand.

[EEllis]

The OP asked about an injured animal, but the conversation stayed in the "game" category so far. So, to expand this...what if it were a dog that was severely wounded?

A dog is property so you should ordinarily call the cops or contact the owner and then go from there. I wouldn't put down someone elses dog without their OK.

[dac1842]

Years ago even a peace officer could not put down an animal without contacting a game warden first.
I remember an instance many years ago where I was dispatched to an accident involving a deer. Another unit went either me and on arrival it was clear the deer had 4 broken legs. I notified our dispatcher to notify a warden. By this time several neighbors were outside with their kids (daylight on a weekend). The dispatcher came over the radio and stated rather game warden said to destroy the animal.
Before I could get to the other deputy he had already pulled his weapon and shot twice. The horrified look on parents and kids alike was something to see! I walked up to the deputy and told him that was without a doubt one of dumbest stunts he had pulled.. Needless to say it was not long before we were standing in front of a chief deputy.
The other deputy got a few unpaid days off

[Oldgringo]

Years ago even a peace officer could not put down an animal without contacting a game warden first.
I remember an instance many years ago where I was dispatched to an accident involving a deer. Another unit went either me and on arrival it was clear the deer had 4 broken legs. I notified our dispatcher to notify a warden. By this time several neighbors were outside with their kids (daylight on a weekend). The dispatcher came over the radio and stated rather game warden said to destroy the animal.
Before I could get to the other deputy he had already pulled his weapon and shot twice. The horrified look on parents and kids alike was something to see! I walked up to the deputy and told him that was without a doubt one of dumbest stunts he had pulled.. Needless to say it was not long before we were standing in front of a chief deputy.
The other deputy got a few unpaid days off

There it is! I started to post this earlier now I can: it largely depends on when, where and who is looking. It's a tough decision, no doubt.