Knocked off on cycle path by dog – injured. What to do?

Title says cycle path. If it was a cycle path I would have some sympathy.
Shared use, you have to expect the unexpected and ride accordingly. Shared use paths I treat as a sidewalk (sorry for the Americanism) that I don’t have to get off and push and ride in the same manner as I would if were on the pavement, which would be not much faster than walking pace.

Only the op knows how fast he was going but encountering a dog on a share used path is not even unexpected. If the op was pootleing I would say the dog owner would be at fault, but if he was pushing his speed I would consider his behaviour dangerous on a shared use path and consider his actions a contributory factor.

It’s generally considered bad form to leave an animal injured. You are supposed to track it and finish it off.

aracer – Member
andy3809 » How about not using the emergency services to ‘data capture’ for a minor accident. If youre hurt, especially with a head injury then call a ambulance amd don’t drive 18 miles home putting people on the road at risk.

I’m surprised he didn’t realise all that. There must have been something wrong with his head.

Thanks,Aracer. A knock to the head confuses you and I didn’t know what to do. I was asked questions and I don’t think I gave anyone a straight answer. As for going 2 mins out of my way to the police station, the reason was that I had a head injury along with all the other stuff due to a guy running a dog off a leash (take note of this,Andy3809. I’m getting as sick as everyone else on this thread with the number of times it’s taking to get the scenario into your head along with the others that’s fail to read the details so I’m not going over it again)
I was definitely not going to be wandering around with these injuries through no fault of my own, not knowing who the hell this dog owner was. I had to find out who he was as I had no idea of the extend of the injuries and damage, if he vanished and I found I had problems that kept me off work for weeks, then I’d have no info for anyone regarding what had happened. It could just as well be a fall off my bike as far as far as the people that ask questions are concerned. Like I keep saying, and like Aracer keeps trying to point out, I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. How many time’s have you seen people agreeing to go to hospital after an accident? They are usually out of it or just plain not wanting to put people out of their way.

As far as ‘buying me a pint and sorting things out’ I’m not looking for a friendship with the guy. There is not a chance in hell that if someone has an injured dog with his attitude, that he’s going to pay for a helmet. Not to mention that the days off work I’m having as I can hardly hold things in my left hand and barely lift both arms shoulder height, leading to what works out to be just over £10 a day in wages when I’m not at work, yes £10 for each day.. I need to take note of these things. I’m no sue-head. I just want what’s due and happy to put a few cuts and grazes elsewhere on my body behind me. I’m also wanting this guy to know and hopefully learn some way that coming down a path with a dog running behind is not something he should continue doing. If it blows over and he has a dog that’s fine and I’m out of pocket having missed work days and having to replace essential kit (the scuffed jacket,lever and light unit isn’t essential and I won’t claim for that)then he’s got off with his negligence. If you can’t see that from my point of view in any way then there’s something far wrong with you.

Like I previously said, It turns out I’m in work, alone for the next 2 weeks as my boss is out the country. I need hand movement and strength in it for the work I do. It also involves going up ladders to lift stock down from a certain height quite often. I won’t be able to do this. The next two weeks are going to be tricky due to all of this. This is why I had reporting this incident, and hopefully someone finding the dog owner so I knew who I was dealing with, BEFORE going to hospital. The next few weeks I’ll be next to useless at work, explaining to customers that things won’t be getting done on time due to the injury, and calling people to let them know to collect or rebook work.

Thanks Bigyinn, Eddiefiola etc. I’ll keep that in mind.

Martin, above all else it sounds like you had a nasty bump to the head. Hope it gets sorted, and you heal ok.
You may just have to take a hit on this and replace the broken bits. Maybe the dog owner has learnt a valuable lesson and won’t take the dog out without a leash again.
Sorry to hear of your crash.

np. I’m not sure why people don’t understand that you simply wanted to avoid losing out from this, not to make a mint out of it. Given what it says in the HC about dogs on shared use paths it’s quite clear where the fault lies. Though I’m afraid I also tend to agree with those who suggest that without witnesses, and with the other party having disappeared it will be hard to prove anything.

If you need to track the guy down, on the tellybox they always check the local hospitals for gunshot wounds. Have you checked the local vets for dogs that have been hit by bikes? They might not be able to give you any info of course, and if plod aren’t interested in helping with this you might be stuck.

Why don’t you try to find him and ask him for some money?

you have to expect the unexpected and ride accordingly

Is that like known unknowns?

Been done and its just not practical and no one not car, nor walker nor cyclist does this . A pedestrian could jump into the road every time you pass them so so you slow to a crawl to pass. Every parked car the door could open so you wait to pass on the other side of the road. that car may not stop at the junction even though you are on the main road so you slam on etc.

Love Katy

Have you checked the local vets for dogs that have been hit by bikes?

Good idea Columbo.

FFS… 🙄

Have you checked the local vets for dogs that have been hit by bikes?

The one with your tyre pattern down it’s middle would be the guilty culprit. At least if you contacted the police they may have been able to organise a line up.

Love Katy

Like!

A bit short on your normal contentious reactionary bile there, Katy, do try harder.

Well I can always fall back on Pitch’s idea of chipping in for a new helmet. I’m sure he’ll start it off with a £5er.

“Have you been in an accident recently that was not your fault”

No win no fee!
Or
Chalk it up to experience and move on,

^^ Totally.

Why do people constantly want someone to blame? What if it was a rock the other rider kicked up into the path, and the OP fell off?

Back in the day people would just accept that accidents do happen, but now we live in a sodding blame culture.

Life’s too short, people generally don’t do horrible things on purpose that appear on the face of it appear to be accidents.

Hell, someone cut me up in a race one – took out my front wheel and I got smashed up. Another time someone rode into me, and destroyed my front brake.

What was my first thought ‘I should sue, or call the police?’. No, it was ‘Shit, that guy was a moron, better pay more attention next time’.

It was a bit of wit taken from Ace Ventura Pet Detective ironically put in there! ;D
Seeing as this thread was turning into all about you so thought it best to pitchfork in. Lol.
Even Katy has more balls than the way you drivvle on this particular thread.

But of all points I forgot to mention to Martyn – I do hope speedy recovery and that your helmet suddenly regains normal protective shape. Oeerrrr!

But it wasn’t a rock. It was someone’s dog. The SOAC is quite clear on the matter – dogs should be on a lead or close at heel. It doesn’t mention rocks at all – even pet ones.

So, as I suggested above, if somebody accidentally dented your car with their door in a supermarket car park, would you shrug your shoulders and chalk it up to experience? If somebody accidentally rear ended you at a roundabout would you pay for your car repairs yourself? If you were out walking and somebody accidentally knocked you over as they were cycling along the pavement and broke your leg, you were off work for a month and lost lots of wages would you think “better pay more attention next time”?

If the answer to those is no, why is this different?

I’ll tell you what makes my blood boil – people going on about “blame culture” when somebody just wants not to lose out because of an accident caused by somebody else’s negligence, where they hadn’t done anything wrong.

Rickon, I can see your views and attitude on MY issue..

I’m a dog owner / lover. AFAIC the guy with the dog should be prevented from ever having one again, his stupidity caused the dog serious injury at least and the OP could have been Schumacher’d. Idiot. As for dazzlingly bright lights on cycle paths, more boiling blood…

But… “not losing out” is worrying about £40 while having absolutely no desire to chat to the bloke about it in a civilised manner or even consider the view as it may look from the other side.

I don’t think anyone is doubting the dog off the lead contributed to the accident but it also sounds like there could have been half a dozen contributing factors from the OP too towards the unfortunate accident. There is always more that can be done to prevent an accident otherwise it wouldn’t have happened- most likely from both sides. I’m sure the other guy is equally unhappy to have lost the dog/ having to pay vets bills for injuries from a speeding out of control cyclist with dazzlingly bright lights when they should have slowed due to a shared use path etc etc or however else the other side may see the accident. Not saying this is the case- just saying we are getting a bit of an aggressive one sided viewpoint.

The main issue is the OP just wants to vent and it is getting tiresome (sorry!). I hope the injuries heal up but it sounds like you won’t be happy until you receive a hand written apology note from the dog with £40 stuffed in… 😕 That is really the only option you are leaving open and all other sensible suggestions have been ignored. Either do something about it or relax and get over it

Try reading before posting.

Are you suggesting the OP is lying about what happened (as implied by your description which is completely at odds with his)? If not, in what way was he in any way to blame?

but different advice coming from you when you reply in another thread to Grobin13’s dilemma..

grobin13 – Member
Hi Guys

Hoping for some advise please….

I had 2 bikes stolen over the weekend. One was my beloved Bronson C which the insurance company will replace (hoping to convince them to swap it for a Nomad). The other was an old Lapierre Zesty that I use mainly to tow my toddler around trail centres in his Croozer trailer.

For the Lapierre, they have agreed to either give me £1700 cash OR they said I can purchase a bike through their supplier (Wheelies) to the value of £1800 and they will give me £500 Cash (both options are really generous considering the bike is 3 years old).

Do I;

A – Go all out and get the best hardtail I can for the £1800 and possible upgrade parts with the cash (bearing in mind it will probably be overkill for what I would need). If so any suggestions?

B – do the sensible thing and take the £1700, buy a cheap hardtail (or a Canyon)and pocket the difference.

Either way, I think hardtail is the way I need to go for trailer towing, especially as I have my F/S for the other stuff.

My mind is clouded by the prospect of shiny new toys so hoping anyone sensible out there can throw their opinion in / offer advise.

POSTED 1 MONTH AGO

rickon – Member
Totally take the money and run.

Could’ve easily counted his losses and moved on, eh ;O)

Please folks, I came for advice, not to repeat myself with details of the event over and over to the people that haven’t read it. The idea was to get info from anyone that might have had a similar experience. Instead I got dragged into a pack of hyena’s along the way and I dread to think what they’d be like on dury duty if they ever have to go! (god help the accused ;O))

Let’s just stop right here. Cheers to everyone with a good logical head on their shoulders, which amazingly turns out to be the majority! STW has amazed me this week! I’m off to find out about the poor dug..

I’m a dog owner / lover. AFAIC the guy with the dog should be prevented from ever having one again, his stupidity caused the dog serious injury at least and the OP could have been Schumacher’d.

Yeah,Flapjack. I feel lucky.

The full quote would show the point was to question what plan of action the OP is prepared to accept to recoup the £40 (an annoying but fairly insignificant amount in the grand scheme of things)? “Don’t want to lose out” but also “don’t want to do anything about it”… hence maybe best to let it go.

All i wanna know is if you killed his dog are you going to still ask for your £40 and an apology 😉

If it happened to me I would have been more worried about the welfare of the dog than my scuffed jacket or dented lid regardless of who’s fault the accident was.

I have lost dogs, members of the family for many years and I have fallen of a bike and dented my lid and even broken bones.

Seriously I would be at home that evening worrying about what happened to the dog not fretting over a few material belongings and some bruises.

I’m sure the other guy is equally unhappy to have lost the dog/ having to pay vets bills for injuries from a speeding out of control cyclist with dazzlingly bright lights when they should have slowed due to a shared use path etc etc or however else the other side may see the accident. Not saying this is the case-

Good, because it wasn’t the case. I averaged approx 15.8kph over 14km.

… an accident caused by somebody else’s negligence where they hadn’t done anything wrong.

This is true. The other guy was a nob,riding with a black dog running free, not lit up or wearing a high viz vest, even if only so he can see where he is. I can see the OP’s grievance. Trouble is though- what is he hoping to do about it now? The moment for any sort of justice is long gone.
I’d like to think that having been responsible for losing/injuring/killing his dog,and injuring someone else the other rider would have learnt his lesson, but I doubt it…

chip – Member
If it happened to me I would have been more worried about the welfare of the dog than my scuffed jacket or dented lid

I reported a missing and possibly injured dog before the owner did, mate.

Seriously I would be at home that evening worrying about what happened to the dog not fretting over a few material belongings and some bruises.

It’s all well and good to say that, but I doubt any of us have any idea of the OP’s financial situation. When I was a student this would of kept me off the bike for a while as I would of had no helmet to ride in as I couldn’t of afforded to replace it straight away. Likewise, if he’s missing out on work due to injuries then it would be pretty reasonable to expect some compensation to cover the losses.

As much as I love dogs and would hope the dog was OK, I don’t know how anyone can give the OP stick when he was clearly concussed.

If it happened to me I would have been more worried about the welfare of the dog than my scuffed jacket or dented lid regardless of who’s fault the accident was.

I’d like to think I would too,but if I was as ***ed up as the OP says I doubt i’d give a shit.
All dog threads need pics- lets see your war wounds.
Anything like Somafunk’s when the bench jumped out on him?

Some weirdly agressive replies here, I think I would have been as upset as you. That guys is an ass and should not be riding with his dog like that in the dark. Hope things get sorted out.

As for dazzlingly bright lights on cycle paths, more boiling blood…

I slow to walking pace for this reason. Very annoying. Also got full on dazzled by a car last night. They approached from a fair old distance away on a country lane (with me in their headlights) and drove past me at speed while I slowed quickly and wobblingly cycled one-handed with other hand shielding my eyes. If they didn’t see me then that is scary (I had lights and reflective pogies) – if they did it’s weird to think that dazzling a cyclist is OK. I’ve been cycling for 36 years, much of it on roads, and from where i sit the trend is generally pointing to it becoming more and more hazardous. Our present culture is shaping up to be (arguably) ‘Generation Me’.

As for the OP, get well soon, seems it was the largely the dog owner’s fault. I feel for the dog too, hope it’s OK, poor thing didn’t have a choice in this. That said, before passing any other path user at night I would normally slow right down to walking pace, and would have if I was either of one you.

*Edit. To all of us bikers: a bit of courtesy and thought goes a long way. A cyclist slowed to a near stop for my wife and I recently, and greeted us. It was an uncommon event as we smiled for quite a while. More normally they approach quite silently from behind at speed, scaring the dog. This is in places like the Malverns where many visiting riders don’t know where they are encouraged to ride so pretty much ride anywhere. Being in both camps I annoy bikers and pedestrians equally. But smile and slow down nonetheless!

Thanks, Malvern rider. Yeah, in the daylight I slow to a stop if folk are walking their dogs on this path and it looks like something might go pear shaped. Same with a path half a mile from the one I had an accident on, although it’s far narrower. People up here sort the dog out and hold them still way before you approach them, you pass slowly and say thanks. That’s the way I’ve gone about it and quite often you can transform a grumpy dog walker into a smiling one that seems grateful.

I contacted the police and they’re getting back to me although I’ve since found out that the dog was reported missing on a FB page and it had been updated as ‘dog has now returned home’.