Shouting, "Here Fido!" might be too late?

[LostPurpleKipper]

Firstly please be gentle as we are dog virgins and know head, body, usually 4 legs, waggy and poopy bits.

Friend has DC age 16 and an ex who has a dog. Friend found themself in a situation where they were compelled emotionallyblackmailed into walking dog with DC in father's absence. Dog is lovely, stays fairly close, but left "off leash" whilst wondering streets. Friend said it widdled on someone's lawn and went up to a lady to say hello. Neither were crimes of the century (lady seemed ok about it, but they didn't stick around to ask lawn owner about the watering).

It got us thinking as neither of us know much about dogs... If friend gets press ganged into it again, is she or 16 year old DC liable for this dog parenting style? DC is very emotive about "off leash" as she and father feel it builds up trust (but says dog goes on lead if there's LOTS of people).
However, if in an extreme situation, the dog got surprised by another dog or a toddler... AIBU/AWBU to think shouting, "Here Fido!" is going to be too late?
Also, if she gets press-ganged again, as DC's other parent and present, would she or 16 year old be legally liable for any doggy misdeeds?

Eh? Dogs must be on lead on designated roads.

Just had a Google and yes, it's against the highway code. It didn't feel right! But we have never had dogs so never really had to consider it! Thanks

No a dog should not be left off leash while walking the streets. Not sure how doing so would build trust in any way?!? The dog could be startled, see a cat etc etc and dart across the road and get hurt/cause an accident. I also don't want anyone's dog coming up to me. I am not at all comfortable around them. And certainly wouldn't want an unknown dog coming up to my child. And I would be very annoyed about a dog pissing on my lawn! It kills the grass as I am sure dog owners will tell you!

Dog on lead if walking on pavement/near roads/urban area. Off lead (only if excellent recall) in rural fields/large parks/quiet beaches/countryside etc.

Met one of these entitled off lead characters last week, extremely unimpressed. Looked out of my window to see a dog charging around my front garden going in the bushes and borders. My front garden runs along a path, went out to see the owner strolling along, told him to get his dog off my garden( which he did) and that it was a good job my cat hadn't been outside at the time. His excuse was that he'd just moved to the area and didn't know the streets! All the more reason to keep the horrible hound under control I would have thought.

It didn't seem right to us but they go to all these dog classes and seem to have educated themselves.
So, if it's illegal to walk without a leash, is friend's 16 year old DC potentially committing a crime if out on her own, or is her father liable for imposing his doggy ownership style?
Yes, the no lead to build trust sounded like waffle to us, but we just know cats...

OP's got her answer now.

I wonder how many people will now post saying exactly the same thing 🤔

Don’t walk the dog without a lead! Dc should get one and use it. It’s irresponsible and wrong. Dc needs to say no.

Thanks all - I will point friend to highway code. Had a bit more of a search and you can legally own a pet from 16 so I guess DC would be liable.
Absolute doggy owner plonkerdom then!