Safe Speed Forums

About 5.30 or so yesterday afternoon, I left home & approached the top of the road (cul de sac) where we live & stopped at the junction. I had already noticed 5 or 6 kids who were playing on the pavement right outside the corner house, but only gave them a cursory glance as they all appeared to notice my approach.
Anyway, I look right, look left, look right again and start pulling away from the junction (turning left). Pretty much as soon as I pull away, I feel a bump underneath the car, along with the rear nearside of the car lifting slightly.
My first thought was that a toddler had run out and he/she was under the wheels, especially as there was a 13 year old or so girl who was screaming blue murder & crying (it's a scary thought, believe me folks).

Anyway, it turns out that the kids have let their dog go just as I am executing my left turn and it ran underneath the car. By the time I had got out of the car (which I stopped immediately), the dog was already legging it up the road at a speed that would have earned it an instant ban if it had been driving itself.

The question is a simple one (although not that simple for me obviously), am I legally obliged to report the fact I ran over a dog?
I know it used to be a legal requirement, but I'm pretty sure that it was done away with some years ago.

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What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

CYA principle - I'd go report it, and if they say it's not necessary it's only cost a little time.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 states:-


Still a requirement to stop/report, Gixxer.

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Fixed ideas are like cramp, for instance in the foot, yet the best remedy is to step on them.

Ian

Yup, rang my local plod at 9am this morning after Gatsobait's advice and found that to be the case Ian (well sort of anyway).

Turns out that I had already complied with the law by virtue of the fact that I stopped & spoke with the owner (who is one of my neighbours)
Just to be on the safe side, the officer took my report of the incident just in case the owner decides to pursue it further (although the officer did state that it was the owners fault anyway).

Off to the station now to produce my docs so that they can be tied to the report in the event of the dog's owner attempting to take action against me.

Many thanks anyway Ian.

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What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

Yep, I should have added that if you have given details to the family - (name and address) or if they know you, that's all that's required.
I answered the point in a general legal sense rather than relating to your specific circumstance.

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Fixed ideas are like cramp, for instance in the foot, yet the best remedy is to step on them.

Ian

No need for the "sad" face Ian, it gave me all the info I needed to know.

On a side note, do you think the dog ran under my car because it was chasing the cat (alyst)?


EDIT:
I know the above joke might be considered poor taste for some, but the dog has since been found & the vet has said that although it has quite a few broken bones, it will live & be none the worse for it's experience.

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What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

I was trying to display 'slight embarrassment' rather than 'sad'

Glad to hear that Mutt's on the mend.

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Fixed ideas are like cramp, for instance in the foot, yet the best remedy is to step on them.

Ian