Thoughts on who is in the wrong here?

[backinthebox]

Perfectly straight but narrow country lane. Thick forest either side and the road is flanked by gorse bushes but there are a few small footpaths made by local walkers. 9am on a winter's morning, sky overcast so not bright sunshine but nothing to impede visibility along the length of the road.

A dog being walked off the lead but with owner very close by steps from in the bushes onto the road. At the same time a car is driving along the road not slowly but within the speed limit, with headlights on, and slows while the dog owner catches their dog by the collar.

The dog owner thinks the car should be driving slower as the car driver cannot tell what might jump out of the bushes at them.

The car driver thinks the dog owner should have their dog on a lead near a road.

Who is in the right?

Dog owner should have dog on lead. Car owner was driving within limits and as they deem appropriate for their reactions.

If you're within the speed limit dog Walker hasn't got a leg to stand on

What hash said

Country road - you should always be driving slow enough to stop quickly.

Driving at the speed limit isn't appropriate for lots of reasons.

Dog walker should have the dog on a lead next to a road.

The dog should have been on a lead for sure. But on that kind of road it kind of depends what within the speed limit means - are you driving slowly enough to stop if an animal runs onto the road etc

The dog Walker is in the wrong.

The car driver stopped/slowed in time and didn't hit anyone. Dogs should always be on a lead near a road.

The dog owner is wrong, I'm guessing you're the car driver

Car owner is right here. Get the dog on a lead!

I don’t understand this bit
“ car driver cannot tell what might jump out of the bushes at them.”

Dog should legally be “under control”, whether that’s by lead or voice control.

The dog owner purely because he stepped into the road

The car should slow right down to pass pedestrians or animals if there is no pavement. I live on a country road and that is what most drivers do. The dog owner is a fool not to keep a lead on the dog when walking on a road.

It's obviously the dog owner because like someone said the dog went into the road.
Dog shouldn't be going into road cos it's dangerous!

The legal limit is entirely reasonable - while obviously adjusting speed to account for weathjer conditions etc YABU to expect a driver to drive slower in anticipation of random hazards like dogs.
Not worth alarming drivers by not having a dog on a lead because how are they expected to know how well trained a dog is?

Car owner is in the right

It's illegal to have your dog off the lead next to/on a public highway

Dog should be on lead but most country lanes are 50/60 limit and should definitely not be driven at that speed

@ivfbeenbusy

Car owner is in the right

It's illegal to have your dog off the lead next to/on a public highway

Ah you’re right

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/27

I only knew the ‘in a public place legislation’.

Well that’s it then isn’t it?

This is one occasion where I should do that wanky thing of ... that’s it then .

But it’s annoying so I won’t.

@ivfbeenbusy

Car owner is in the right

It's illegal to have your dog off the lead next to/on a public highway

This is a common myth. It may be illegal but may not depending on local orders put in place by the Local Authority.

Possibly both a bit in the wrong. Dog should be under close control, whether that’s on a lead or not. Pedestrians have every right to be in the road if no pavement is available and cars should slow down to accommodate this. Stepping out without looking is obviously foolish and dangerous. Country roads are rarely appropriate for driving at or near NSL (which they often are) and you should be able to stop for hazards like deer, walkers, cyclists, horses etc.

Car owner is in the right. Dog should be on lead

Ah you’re right

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/27

If you actually read that link it is clear that whether it's required for your dog to be on a lead or not depends upon the whether the Local Authority has designated the road as one where that rule applies.

It's not a blanket law applying to all roads.

@PreRaphaeliteMotherhood

Possibly both a bit in the wrong. Dog should be under close control, whether that’s on a lead or not. Pedestrians have every right to be in the road if no pavement is available and cars should slow down to accommodate this. Stepping out without looking is obviously foolish and dangerous. Country roads are rarely appropriate for driving at or near NSL (which they often are) and you should be able to stop for hazards like deer, walkers, cyclists, horses etc.

Agreed.

The dog owner is in the wrong.

Lots of dog owners think their dog is entitled to everything included the whole road to themselves to walk down the middle of.

@DynamoKev

It's not every road but would certainly Cover most of not all adoptable highways (even where there is a footpath running alongside it) and certainly those with national speed limits in force

(I only know these things because
Someone's out of control dog off a lead ran infront of my car chasing expensive damage when I was unable to stop in time and my car insurers sued the dog owners for the repairs to the car)