Just arriving back at work after lunch, I noticed a little white shih tzu wandering placidly along the verge on the one-way road leading to my office. Cars and large lorries come round the bend pretty quickly as it's one way and they don't expect to meet anyone, so I was a bit worried. I parked and walked back along the road looking for him, and when I spotted him he had turned round and was wandering towards the end where the main road is. He looked cheerfully at me when he spotted me, let me walk right up to him, look at his collar which had a local postcode, and pick him up. I was just next to a house with loads of cars in the driveway, so thought I'd ask in case he was near home, and sure enough it was his house! The young chap working in the garage didn't seem too bothered, just casually said thanks, and that he was getting out every 5 minutes!! I was left not quite sure whether I'd been helpful or if I'd been unnecessarily concerned as the dog had clearly wandered out for fresh air and had been making his own way home. But I was worried about the traffic on that road, let alone if he'd gone past his house onto the main road. What do you think?

Well, legally you are right, dogs are not allowed on the public highway without being on a lead which should be attached to a handler. However I don't suppose you would have got compliance if you had told the young man more likely a string of abuse.

I am a person who fumes when they see people walking their dog off lead along the road. Yes they may be well trained but could you be 100% sure they would never bolt if they saw something. My old boy does not like other dogs so it's also not helpful.

I think you did what any responsible caring dog owner would do, it's a shame that not everyone realises what danger they are exposing their dog to. It would serve them right if the dog warden seized it and they had to pay to get it back, if they were hit in the pocket it might make them be more responsible.

Glad it turned out well for the little dog on this occasion.

He wasn't walking him offlead, he was working in the garage and the dog had got out (from the house I assume) and was wandering happily along the edge of the road.

An accident waiting to happen IMHO :(

Heaven help the dog and anyone who hits him or tries to avoid him :(

Some people have no idea of the mess they can make of other people's lives just by their thoughtlessness

Well done for taking the dog back and keeping your cool.  I might have had to point out that if the dog was in/caused an accident it would be HIS fault and could prove expensive ;)

I have lost count of the number of dogs we have found wandering along roads without humans let alone those off lead with humans. Some of the dogs have been genuine strays having escaped somehow and the owners delighted to have them back but on other occsions the reactions have been similar to the man and the garage. It makes me so cross i dont believe any dog is titally bomb proof and could easily end up in the wrong place that also applies to dogs off lead. Most of the off lead dogs around here seem to be staffs which is unfortunate it just increses the feeling that the owners are irrisponsible

I really despair of people sometimes. I just heard of a  dog today that needs a new home. Why? Because it gets out of the garden, which isn't fenced. Wouldn't normal people make sure their garden was secure before even getting a dog? And if finding it isn't secure at any later point, don't you just do something about it?!

Sorry LucyDogs, I know you said that the dog was just wandering around, it was me chuntering on about how I also hate people who walk dogs off the lead as well as people like this chap who obviously just didn't care.