Dangerous Dog

[Victoria]

My son was cycling to work on the cycle path yesterday, when a large collie dog shot across his path. He hit it full on the ribs, and he and the bike flew a few yards in the air. He had been going at top speed, and the dog came out from nowhere, it was off the lead and the owner came straight over and apologised. The dog was yelping and whining and looked very spooked, but otherwise seemed ok. My son has cuts and grazes on most parts of his body - luckily he didn't bash his face. But thank God he was wearing a helmet - it was split in two and is dented and buckled on one side. His rucksack took a beating and has a couple of big rips in it, his camera is a little dented and his mini cheddars burst open and were crushed (he said that was the worst thing!). Strangely, his cycle top and shorts are virtually unmarked, even though the skin underneath is badly grazed!

The bike suffered a few dings, and the back wheel is a bit bent, but he got it to the bike shop and they checked it out and adjusted it so he could ride it home, but I think a new wheel is needed.

He went to the NHS drop in centre and they washed and patched him up and checked for concussion, but he was ok and went into work. Today however he's aching all over and is very tired, so he's stayed home and taking painkillers.

Everyone says he should have taken the dog owner's details and reported him (the dog was not under control - the owner admitted this). But what's the point? The dog must be hurt, possibly broken ribs and/or internal injuries, and the owner may be facing a large vet's bill. He's probably learnt his lesson and will think twice before letting it off the lead near a cycle path again!

 

[beanzontoast]

Ouch!

I admire your attitude over this. There are some people who need punishment to make them realise (and not repeat) their transgressions, and then there are those for whom the shock of event itself is enough of a lesson. Also, as you are out-of-pocket to at least the tune of the Cheddars(!), but no serious injury thank goodness, good on you for not trying to take it further.

Loose dog + cyclist travelling at top speed = Accident. No-one intended it to happen, and as you say, the dog owner has probably learned a lesson.

 

[ianrauk]

Poor son and poor dog.
as you say, the dog owner has probrably learned a valuable lesson.

Now if the dog was chasing after or at the cyclists that is a different matter.

 

[ChrisKH]

I would pursue the dog owner if only to get the bike damage covered and helmet replaced. Why should you pay?

Sorry to get all Victor Meldrew about this, but it is the failure of people to take responsibility for their actions that is the downfall of this country. You shouldn't have to grin and bear it. The dog's behaviour and therefore the dog owners behaviour was unreasonable in the circumstances.

 

[Wigsie]

What flavour Mini Cheddars were they?

 

[swee'pea99]

I also applaud your 'these things happen, no malice involved' attitude, but I do think the dog owner is at fault for not volunteering to at least pay for the damage caused. The only mitigation I can think of is that he was probably in shock too - and however decent, probably mostly upset about his hound. I think I probably would be, in that situation, and I'm a cyclist.

 

[jimboalee]

There was a study at The Motor Industry Research Assocciation as to why dogs bark at, run after and rush at cyclists.

The answer is;

The frequent stretching and relaxing of the wheel's spokes resonates at a frequency a dog can hear, but a human can't.

Some dogs are well trained and ignore it, but many dogs are driven barmy.

This was obviuosly an undisciplined dog, with an undisciplined owner.

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

It's a tough one isn't it? It is nice to say sorry and no harm done and all that but aren't you going to be out of pocket to the tune of at least £60 - considering the helmet replacement and possibly a new wheel?

I got hit from behind once whilst turning right and had minimal damage to me (bruised bum) but my bike suffered a buckled wheel, damaged pedal and damage to the handlebar tape. The bike shop put it all back together for about £35 and I asked for the money from the driver.

Another time I got hit on a crossing and didn't claim for anything as there were no injuries or damage to me or the bike. I did however report him for bad driving as he had jumped a red light on a toucan crossing right outside a school.

I think that hindsight would mean that you should really have taken the dog owner's details.

What if your son did himself an injury that did not show up instantly? (You say he feels worse today than yesterday) and he ends up off work for a bit? Who is going to pay his lost wages? What if the bike needs a new wheel and you can't get a new wheel as they have been discontinued so really you are going to need a new bike?!

I would advise erring on the side of caution and always taking the details!

Glad your son (and the dog) are okay though and lived to tell the tale!

 

[yello]

[quote name='swee'pea99']I also applaud your 'these things happen, no malice involved' attitude,[/QUOTE]

As do I.

Learning is a two way process too. The dog owner and your son will hopefully be the wiser for this event. Thankfully your son is ok. I hope the dog is too.

Where was the cycle path Victoria? Road side, in a park, tow path? Anything to account for why the owner might have let the dog off of the lead?

 

[Black Sheep]

what if, what if, what if...?

most injury's hurt more the day after, its how the body works, telling us to take it easy while it heals itself, yes a new helmet is needed, a bit of tlc for the bike but the OP has said, indirectly, that its too late to get the dog owners details - the vets bill could easily be £400.

 

[jig-sore]

Strangely, his cycle top and shorts are virtually unmarked, even though the skin underneath is badly grazed!

yeah, i've had that before... strange

 

[Victoria]

Thank you for all your replies, and your support. I anticipated mixed responses regarding whether or not to report the dog owner.

Fact is, my son was very shaken up, and, as it was his first accident ever, all he could think of was jumping up and putting a brave face on . If I had been there it might have been a bit different!

Yello - the cycle path is an old railway line reclaimed by Sustrans, and the bit in question is at an intersection with another footpath/cycle path. There's no excuse, the dog should have been on a lead.

The dog didn't chase the bike, it was crossing the cycle path on the intersecting on - just at speed and without looking! There were a group of school kids on the corner and the dog rushed across from behind them, which is why my son didn't see it coming.

 

[yello]

There's no excuse, the dog should have been on a lead.

I'm sorry Victoria, I wasn't looking to blame anyone - least of all your son. There's no question in my mind that the dog should have been on a lead.

There is always things to be learnt from any situation, something to store away as experience. For example, experience would have made me slow down when approaching a group of school kids. But you can't predict a dog appearing! We learn, simple as that.

 

[ChrisKH]

Equally, had I more information I probably would have softened my response.

My son and I use a similar old railway line at Braintree in Essex and it's used heavily by dog walkers and we always give them priority, slow right down and stop if they get excited or don't see us which is more frequently than you think. Still, you live an learn.

 

[Victoria]

I'm sorry Victoria, I wasn't looking to blame anyone - least of all your son. There's no question in my mind that the dog should have been on a lead.

There is always things to be learnt from any situation, something to store away as experience. For example, experience would have made me slow down when approaching a group of school kids. But you can't predict a dog appearing! We learn, simple as that.

It's ok, I didn't take it that way yello , I meant the owner had no excuse!

You're right about experience teaching you to take extra care in certain situations - I'm glad he's learning on a pedal bike and on cycle paths, rather than a motor bike or car on the roads!