Truck Hits, Kills Dog. Keeps Driving

A 7-month-old dog was struck and killed by a truck in Englishtown Thursday afternoon and the driver of the vehicle just drove away, according to Lt. Peter Cooke of the Englishtown Police Department.

The yellow Labrador Retriever got away from his 14-year-old owner as he was getting ready to take him for a walk and the dog ran out onto Tennent Avenue. The boy watched as the truck hit the dog and drove off without stopping or reporting the accident as required by law, Cooke said.

No other witnesses of the accident have come forward. However, the boy described the truck as an older model and maroon in color. The truck continued to drive westbound on Tennent Avenue and turned right onto Main Street heading north towards Old Bridge Township, police said.

Police notified surrounding departments and officers have been checking video surveillance of local businesses in an effort to gain more evidence in identifying the truck and its owner.

Striking a dog, cat, horse, or cattle and not stopping to learn the extent of the injury and reporting the incident to the local police station or Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is illegal under New Jersey State law. The person must also provide their name, address, driver’s license and registration number, and provide the location of the injured animal, according to the law. Anyone found in violation of this law will be charged with a petty disorderly persons offense.

Cooke is asking that anyone who witnessed the accident or anyone who can identify the driver of the truck involved in the hit-and-run accident is asked to contact him or Pfc. Alex Dinicola at 732-446-7001.