Facts
The appellant [X.] is accused of intentionally steering his passenger vehicle towards the dog of his neighbour [B.A.] on 13 June 2013, hitting the dog with the right front of the vehicle and dragging it for a distance of approximately 20 meters across the street without stopping. The dog suffered a fracture to its right hind leg. The public prosecutor convicted [X.] of property damage and intentional animal cruelty. The Regional Court of Bern-Mittelland found him guilty of a simple traffic violation due to negligence in road traffic and negligent animal cruelty. The High Court of the Canton of Bern upheld this conviction and sentenced [X.] to a conditional fine of 15 daily rates at CHF 70.-- and a fine of CHF 300.--. Furthermore, [X.] was ordered to pay the injured party [B.A.] compensation of CHF 3,075.-- as well as party costs.Considerations
The Federal Supreme Court considers the conviction of the appellant [X.] for a simple traffic violation under Art. 32 para. 1 RTA to be lawful. The lower court correctly found that the speed of 25 to 30 km/h was not adapted to the local conditions, in particular the immediate proximity of the house to the narrow street and the fact that persons and animals could enter the street at any time. Contrary to the appellant's argument, he was not convicted solely…