WSET.com - ABC13Animal Hit and Run: Against the Law?

Reporter: Sally Delta

Campbell Co., VA - Someone hit a Campbell County man's dog and never stopped to tell him. In Virginia, you aren't required to find the owner, but it is unlawful to leave a dead animal lying in the road.

The man I talked with Friday says just a knock on the door would have meant a lot.

Eric Johnson's family consists of 4. His wife and him, their 2-year-old Cole and their 4-year- old German short hair they call Tick.

"That's his best friend, you know he's not just a pet, he's a child you know my wife and I, that's our first baby," said Eric Johnson.

Tick lived inside and outside. For years, he ran and played safely inside this gated yard until one morning he somehow moved the latch and got out.

Early Wednesday morning Johnson pulled out of his driveway and just 20 yards down the road he saw Tick lying in a ditch.

"I think it had just happened because I walked over there and he just looked like he was asleep," said Johnson.

Johnson says Tick still felt warm.

"Maybe there was something that could have been done, maybe not, it doesn't really change anything," he said.

The driver never stopped to tell Johnson Tick had been hit, and as it turns out, it's not only cruel, it's criminal.

In Virginia, if you hit an animal you are required to report it. Leaving a disabled or dead animal in a road is a class 3 misdemeanor.

State police say sometimes people hit something and don't even realize it, so it isn't typically taken to court.

Johnson isn't looking to find the person who hit his dog, he just wishes he was given the opportunity to save him.

"I'd be thankful if they stopped that's the right thing to do but I just pray that he didn't suffer you know, he was a good dog, and my little boy's best friend is gone now," said Johnson.

Ticks collar was found caught in the gate, so it was not on him when he was found. But even neighbors say no one came to notify them.