Dog ran into me and I broke my ankle - now what?

Domayne

gik wrote: »

A dog can cover the 200-300 yards from a field to a road in the blink of eye. Jogger/car/OAP/child...whatever...it could be carnage. Dogs should be on leads when in public.

Even on a field?! Dogs don't deserve freedom to roam around and play as well? Pfft

gik

Domayne wrote: »

Even on a field?! Dogs don't deserve freedom to roam around and play as well? Pfft

No...not in a public place. This very thread confirms it. To be quite honest dogs deserve that their owners have more common sense.

Domayne

Well we'll agree to disagree then

gik

Domayne wrote: »

Well we'll agree to disagree then

A dog off leash can and have frequently caused carnage...how many reports can you produce about dogs causing damage on lead?

lostinrates

gik wrote: »

A dog off leash can and have frequently caused carnage...how many reports can you produce about dogs causing damage on lead?

Its highly possible that poor socialisation and lack of exercise leading to frustration( as well as other aspects of poor ownership, training , supervision and husbandry) are behind very many incidents with dogs. On leads, in homes etc.

Dogs are social animals who gain physiological benefits from running. Its Inhumane to restrict dogs to leads, which practically is what you are suggesting. Many urban and suburban dogs, and rural dogs in cottages rather than farms or estates have no space that's not public suitable for a good run. And socialising remains important, especially in homes where there are one or two dogs only.

Domayne

gik wrote: »

A dog off leash can and have frequently caused carnage...how many reports can you produce about dogs causing damage on lead?

For what it's worth, my dog is never off his harness - even in the park because I know he's not very well trained and would just most likely run off not that I think he would cause carnage. If a dog is well trained (ie doesn't bite, won't run off) I think they should have freedom to roam around in wide spaces as well and not be stuck on a lead forever, especially if they don't enjoy the luxury of their owners having a garden!!!

bellrooster

Caroline_a wrote: »

Petplan's details on 3rd party insurance here

And just to highlight a section from those details..


"In another case an owner was walking his Rhodesian Ridgeback insured by Petplan. On excitement at seeing someone coming the other way the dog jumped up at an old lady, knocking her to the ground and causing her to break her wrist and her hip. Damages for that claim amounted to nearly £40,000."


"Claims paid out by Petplan have included an incident where an over protective border-collie chased a postman from his garden. Although the dog did not cause any actual injury, in his rush to escape from the garden the postman fell over a low wall, injuring his back. Damages for personal injury, loss of earnings and the legal fees of both the third party and the client amounted to £60,000."

KatieDee

Perhaps I am seeing this incorrectly but I would have thought that if you purchase a dog, you are liable for any damage done by the dog. If the dog had simply knocked OP's partner over, I would have agreed that looking into the owners providing compensation would have been overboard.

However, this persons ankle was broken which can cause considerable issues in the future, even after treatment. She has lost money through being unable to work and therefore, is out of pocket financially. Worst case scenario...this couple could lose their home because that dog was not on a leash and decided to bomb towards her.

I am a jogger and feel very uncomfortable when I see dogs walking far in front of their owners without a lead. They could be the most well trained dogs in the world but if they see someone running and want to join in...well I've been in a fair few near-collisions myself. Most of the time it's an apology from the owner and a few chuckles but if it ever resulted in me gaining a long term injury, I honestly wouldn't think twice about claiming.

This is coming from somebody who has been involved in a few non-fault car accidents but has never claimed for damages. None of those accidents resulted in what I would consider to be severe damages...but a broken ankle is!

Obviously it's not fantastic for the dog owners and I do feel for them...but I don't think the OP should be made to feel bad for attempting to cover the amount lost through the accident.

bellrooster

KatieDee wrote: »

Perhaps I am seeing this incorrectly but I would have thought that if you purchase a dog, you are liable for any damage done by the dog. If the dog had simply knocked OP's partner over, I would have agreed that looking into the owners providing compensation would have been overboard.

However, this persons ankle was broken which can cause considerable issues in the future, even after treatment. She has lost money through being unable to work and therefore, is out of pocket financially. Worst case scenario...this couple could lose their home because that dog was not on a leash and decided to bomb towards her.

I am a jogger and feel very uncomfortable when I see dogs walking far in front of their owners without a lead. They could be the most well trained dogs in the world but if they see someone running and want to join in...well I've been in a fair few near-collisions myself. Most of the time it's an apology from the owner and a few chuckles but if it ever resulted in me gaining a long term injury, I honestly wouldn't think twice about claiming.

This is coming from somebody who has been involved in a few non-fault car accidents but has never claimed for damages. None of those accidents resulted in what I would consider to be severe damages...but a broken ankle is!

Obviously it's not fantastic for the dog owners and I do feel for them...but I don't think the OP should be made to feel bad for attempting to cover the amount lost through the accident.

Very well said, I completely agree.

sulphate

bellrooster wrote: »

And just to highlight a section from those details..


"In another case an owner was walking his Rhodesian Ridgeback insured by Petplan. On excitement at seeing someone coming the other way the dog jumped up at an old lady, knocking her to the ground and causing her to break her wrist and her hip. Damages for that claim amounted to nearly £40,000."


"Claims paid out by Petplan have included an incident where an over protective border-collie chased a postman from his garden. Although the dog did not cause any actual injury, in his rush to escape from the garden the postman fell over a low wall, injuring his back. Damages for personal injury, loss of earnings and the legal fees of both the third party and the client amounted to £60,000."

So what happens if the dog in this situation is not insured?