dog involved, NY

Its really very simple, but no one has yet been able to give me a law. Husband hit a dog, filed a police report, turned it into insurance co. they told us to get estimates, sent them back, they mailed them to the owner of the dog.... They claim they are not responsible, because the town has no leash law. So what I'm out on my truck! Please tell me this is not true. Tell me there is a law that the owner of the dog is liable.

[racer72]

What does your insurance company say? It is true, if there are no leash laws, dogs can run where they want. It would be the same as hitting a deer or other wild animal. That is what your comprehensive insurance is for.

A dog that has an owner and a license is not a wild animal, and if I got bit by this dog, the owner is liable for my damages, so its not the same, the SPCA told me there is a New York State law but I can't find it.