Suicidal dogs

Cuchulain

Cuchulain

Cuchulain

Soldato
Joined
28 Dec 2004
Posts
7,620
Location
Derry
Was driving up the road yesterday, doing around 45-50mph when a dog literally jumped out of the hedge and straight in front of the car on some kind of suicide mission, didn't have time to brake so he caught the full force of one of Citroens finest plastic bumpers.

I pulled up immediately as I was sure the dog was dead and I could hear a child screaming in the garden of a house on the other side of the road, the dog however got up, ran around in a circle for a few seconds then sprinted into the back of the house.

I got my son out of the back of the car and knocked on their door just to let them know what happened and the owner didn't seem too bothered and said they'd get it to a vet, and I should be on my way.

All very distressing, especially as I've now lost a fog light blanking plate, any idea where I can get one for an '06 Picasso? Can't find a scrapped one locally anywhere and it might be a bit tactless for me to park out outside their house while I look for bits of trim by the side of the road.

(That couldn't have come across any more flippant if I'd tried, I am going to head up later and see if the dogs ok though, just out of courtesy like)
 
I'm sure I remember reading that if you hit a dog, you're required by law to inform the police. I would do this anyway to avoid allegations by the pet owners that you performed a 'hit-and-run'.

I know in this case it's only a blanking plate, but out of interest, I wonder if the pet owners are legally responsible for the damage to your car? Sounds heartless, but the dog didn't die so...
 
My dad hit a dog on a country road years ago in similar situation. Ran out from a field went straight under the car all i remember was seeing its head disapear under and a rather loud crack. Turns out the dog was fine yet our bumper was cracked big time.

Went to the police station on the way home just to inform them and all was done.
 
Same thing happened to my mum, cracked the bumper. Women who owned the dog paid for the repairs as the dog should have been tied up and now allowed to run into a country road. Didnt report anything to the police though.
 
Nathan said:
Incorrect - Any RTC involving a Dog you have 24 hours to report it to the old bill :)
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Incorrect, any accident involving an animal injury or death you are legally required to stop at the scene and remain there for a reasonable period of time that will allow any people involved directly or indirectly in the accident to come to you and request your contact details.

This was fulfilled by reporting to the owners house.

If the animal is unattended or its owners cannot be traced, THEN you must report to the police station as soon as reasonable and within 24 hours.
 
amigafan2003 said:
he fobbed you off as he knows he's liable for the damage to your car.
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(s)he, I think she wanted to calm her child down, but I guess it could be a little of what you say. If there was substantial damage to the car I'd be knocking on her door again but as it was just a blanking plate that popped out and no other damage, not even cosmetic, I'm not going to get all stressed out about it.

I just want to find somewhere I can get it replaced without giving the local stealership my hard earned.
 
I asked at the local police station as to the situation with the law when someone hit and killed my dog and drove off.

Apparently you are under no obligation to report anything if you hit a cat or a dog on the road with your car. And that is straight from the mouth of the desk sergent. :confused:
 
AtreuS said:
Apparently you are under no obligation to report anything if you hit a cat or a dog on the road with your car. And that is straight from the mouth of the desk sergent. :confused:
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Wouldn't take it as gospel, more reliable than someone you don't know on a forum, but the police often don't know the law.
 
First thing I would've done, if there was any witnesses get their details.

Second thing I would've done, after enquiring about the welfare of the dog, is ask the owner how they want to go about paying for the repairs.

If the first answer was none, and the owner didn't want to know, I would've called the police there and then.
 
InvaderGIR said:
Yes...report it to the family "We're having venison tonight guys!".

:p
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The mother ran off. It was only a baby one. It was my girlfriend that hit it, I just had to finish it off with a piece of metal which was lying by the side of the road. It's head was backwards so I was pretty sure it was doomed. The worst thing is I had to hit it a few times, and after a couple of hits its eye popped out :(

It was possibly the most traumatic experience of my (and the deer's) life.
 
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