One of my buddies has just mailed me about the terrible morning she has had.

She was driving to work and suddenly the three cars slowed down in front of her. The second car seemed to swerve and as she got to the spot she thought it was a Badger that the first car had hit. She slowed right down and realiased it was a dog. She got straight out and the dogs back legs had been run over and the poor little thing was crying in pain. Luckily it had a collar with a tag and so rang the number. The owner was there in minutes and took the dog away to the vets. My friend was so upset especially as the car in front who knocked the poor dog down failed to stop. Some people really make me angry. I thought it was an offense not to stop if you knock down a dog?

Lucy

How awful for that poor dog....and for your friend having to sort it out when it wasn't even her...its a shame she didn't get the reg no...and reported them to the authorities....hope the dog is going to be ok :(

Natasha

I think it should be OK. My friend says that she thinks at the worst it had broken it's leg and will be battered and bruised. She said she was a sweet dog, a spaniel cross.

One thing that is a point that people may not think of, the number was not a local number.When she rang, the man was the owner but the dog was staying with his ex wife and so he had to ring her to get her to go and pick the dog up. Just thinking if you are away and your dog got loose like this one. If you have your home telephone number then they would not be able to get in touch. It was lucky really that he was at home at the time.

Lucy

Having the cell/mobile/handy number listed on a collar tag is almost a necessity these days. Of course, it really comes in nicely when you never can manage to remember the phone # and just grab your dog to jog your memory :D :)

LOL @ Sara :D Good to know my dad isn't the only one that does that.

Fiona
x x x

its awful that the dog was run over, also that the driver didnt stop--but it could of been a lot worse, yes you are supposed to report the matter -BUT!!!! dogs arent supposed to be out unacompanied, there could of been a much worse accident involving people getting injured or even killed, a pile up or anything, its not just the owner of the car thats responsible here, im sure theyd much rather not of run the dog over too :(

I may be wrong, but i believe youhave to report an accident involving a dog within 24 hours at a police station.

That doesn't exactly help the dog or the owner though; thank goodness help was available...

LIndsay

Update on the dog. She has broken the top part of her leg and is going to have it pinned. Apparently she wagged her tail when she went into the vets so I think she will be OK. :D
Lucy

Hi Lucy
At least that is a bit of good news. I hope the dog gets well soon. Gold star to your friend :D and I hope something nasty befalls the driver who *hit & run*
Nicky

I agree in theory - but as careful as people are stuff happens. I had a BAD scare a couple of months back. Someone had broken into our back garden and stolen something so the gate was left unlocked. I didn't realise and Chelsea managed to push it hard enough to get out (we now have a BIG padlock on it). She was only gone 10 minutes, but we live close to a pretty busy road, and I honestly expected to find her hit. I don't LET my dogs run loose, but on this occasion she was. Luckily she'd gone straight to the heath to play.

Yes bad things could have happened to lots of people and it's lucky that it was only the dog. Yes, if I had to choose between hitting a dog and causing a pile up, as much as it hurts, I would hit the dog BUT I WOULD THEN STOP SAFELY AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD DO, NOT CARRY ON MY MERRY WAY! Sorry for shouting, but I can't believe they wouldn't stop. Can't be feeling too badly then can they?

Have to be honest ..choice of running into a dog or piling the car into someone/something it would be the dog :(

Hubbys cousin died avoiding a dog on the road.

However , to not stop afterwards is dreadful ..and illegal in the UK I think

Melody

Not actually illegal Melody. You must report the accident within 24 hours but you don't have to stop, particularly if it might be dangerous to do so.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Aaahh ta Joan :)

I do know that you are liable for your dog should it cause an accident , but not your cat . I don't drive (except hubby up the wall!!) so am a tad unclear on some things

:D

Melody