Dog hit by car

Yuki60

Hopefully this is the right thread to post in. I was in my sons car today and we had just pulled away from a house and were moving at about five miles an hour. A dog was on the pavement loose and as we passed it, it darted in front of the car with no chance to avoid it. It ran across road yelping and blood was coming out of its nose. We stopped and got out and neighbours came out etc. They were all very nice to me but I was quite upset. Got the owners who lived nearby. Seems the man had been chasing the dog around that had got out. There was a man near the dog at the time who also said it wasn't our fault and that he tried to stop the dog running into the road. I stayed for a while and got them to phone the pdsa emergency line. It was a bit of rough street so I was a bit worried as more people came out. Most were nice though. I asked if should report it to someone but they all said no point as the owners were there and said nothing could be done anyway. I waited for a while and then left and they weren't interested in my details or anything. I think they took the dog to the vets but don't know how it is, although were only going very slowly.

Now though, i'm worried. Will we be in trouble for this even though the dog was unsupervised off the lead? Did we have to report it to anyone else even though the owners didn't seem to want me to? I'm upset for the dog because it was hurt but I'm also a little bit cross that a lot of animals in that street seem to just be able to wander about off the leash. As I stopped and checked everything was ok and spoke to the owners, is that enough?

Thanks for any help

neilmcl

As far as I'm aware you do have to report this to the Police, if you hit a cat on the other hand then you wouldn't. A similar thing happened to me a number of years ago as I was travelling into work, at the corner of my eye I saw a women chasing a dog along the road which then darted into the path of my car going at around 15mph at the time. My front bumper just glanced the dog which wasn't injured in the end, although a bit upset but it did crack my bumper. I informed the police, purely to make sure there wasn't going to be any comeback, which they confirmed was the right thing to do, all I had to do was then produce my documents at a later date.

alfiesmum

I think it has to be reported to the police as a matter of course. I probably stems from when dogs had licences or something similar. Hope you're feeling a little better soon.


Scroll about half way down:
http://direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/AnimalsAndPets/Dogs/DG_175858

alfiesmum
xx

tandraig

hun If the dog was loose in the street the accident wasnt YOUR responsibility - it was the owners. I cannot see how you would be in trouble, but if it eases your mind let the insurance company know and make a statement to them. but i doubt if YOU would get in trouble for it. ALL dogs are required by law to be on a leash out on the street, so its more likely the owners would get into trouble. as for the dog, poor thing, if it ran off from the accident with just a bloody nose - its probably ok. was there any damage to your car??
If I were you, report it to the insurance people stressing you are not making a claim just reporting the accident.
then I think just get on with your lives. I would be gobsmaked if any claim was made against you as the owners were in the wrong.

anewman

Wish someone would run over my neighbour's dog. They don't take it for walks, just let it run around the estate. Would be their fault if it got run over IMO.

hethmar

Yuki, it must have been very upsetting for you. And I do hope the dog will be ok - perhaps you could check on him tomorrow

eschaton

If you don't report it to the Police within 24hrs you may be charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

The Police may also investigate as you must have being going faster than 5mph.

bob_a_builder

If I were you, report it to the insurance people stressing you are not making a claim just reporting the accident.

Why do that, they will just increase your 'risk' profile, and likely use it to raise premium next time

Report it to the police, job done

as you must have being going faster than 5mph.

I assume thats a typo or is driving at slightly more that walking pace not allowed any more: bring back the red flags !

Davey2009

I just hope to God this poor dog is alright, let us know if you can.

WhiteHorse

As the dog was out of control in a public street, if your car was damaged, you could sue the owner.

McKneff

Its got nothing to do with your insurance company so forget that one.

It is reportable to the police though/
I think this comes from the law from many years ago when dogs where working animals and also had to have a licence. Most dogs today are not working animals and there is no licence but the law has not been changed yet.
Report it to the poice and then forget about it.
Hope the dogs okay and you too