Bill would increase fines for pet hit-and-runs

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — State lawmakers are pushing a new law that would protect pets along the roads.

The bill is called Protecting Animals Walking on the Street, or PAWS. It amends the vehicle and traffic law to include the category of companion animals and service dogs as victims of hit and run crashes.

Currently the penalty for killing a pet with a vehicle and leaving the scene is a fine of at least $50. The new bill would increase the penalty for a first-time offense to $200. Repeat offenders could pay as much as $750.

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