MartynL
New User
Hello all,
I'm looking for a quick piece of advice regarding an accident which i was involved in recently.
Travelling along a counrty lane, a Beagle (which transpired to belong to a local hunt), lept over a wall and ran out in front of my car. While I did all I could to avoid the poor thing, I stuck the animal very hard and it collapsed up against the dry stone wall it had just come over. I called a vet immediately, and spoke to the local farmer to find out who's dog it was (I was unsure it was a hunting beagle at the time, but no collar, and a distinct "kennel" odour helped!). The dog was concious but clearly in shock, so we carefully lifetd it into the back of a following car, and took it down to the local pub, to try an locate it's owner/hunt. The pub patrons (very helpful & friendly after we'd introduced them to our new puppy the evening previously!) managed to contact the huntsman, who was out looking for 2 of his lost pack that had become seperated during the afternoon's outing. The hunt master came to the pub and picked up the dog in his van - good news, it stood up and wagged it's tail when it saw him, but was clearly battered and bruised still! We did not exchange any details and he left very quickly! He did call the pub about an hour later and informed us that the dog was well, and running around back at the kennel, so that set my mind at ease.
Upon my return home, i've had the damage to my car assesed by the local dealership, and due to the mature of the vehicle, requires a new front end (it's a fibreglass sports car!) as the damage can't be repaired. The cost for which is in excess of £1800. Obviously my insurance would cover this, but i'm reluctant to claim as I believe the accident was not my fault, and it will effect my premiums in the coming years.
The question is, is the "hunt" liable for any damages, and is it expected that they have public liability insurance etc, to cover such events? Any pack owners/ hunt members with knowledge or experience of this?
I didn't really want to have to do that, as I'm very much pro-hunting and understand that it's more difficult than ever for packs to continue, given the current state of Law. Can anybody offer any advice? £1800's is nt something I can justify spending at the moment!
Thanks,
Martyn.
I'm looking for a quick piece of advice regarding an accident which i was involved in recently.
Travelling along a counrty lane, a Beagle (which transpired to belong to a local hunt), lept over a wall and ran out in front of my car. While I did all I could to avoid the poor thing, I stuck the animal very hard and it collapsed up against the dry stone wall it had just come over. I called a vet immediately, and spoke to the local farmer to find out who's dog it was (I was unsure it was a hunting beagle at the time, but no collar, and a distinct "kennel" odour helped!). The dog was concious but clearly in shock, so we carefully lifetd it into the back of a following car, and took it down to the local pub, to try an locate it's owner/hunt. The pub patrons (very helpful & friendly after we'd introduced them to our new puppy the evening previously!) managed to contact the huntsman, who was out looking for 2 of his lost pack that had become seperated during the afternoon's outing. The hunt master came to the pub and picked up the dog in his van - good news, it stood up and wagged it's tail when it saw him, but was clearly battered and bruised still! We did not exchange any details and he left very quickly! He did call the pub about an hour later and informed us that the dog was well, and running around back at the kennel, so that set my mind at ease.
Upon my return home, i've had the damage to my car assesed by the local dealership, and due to the mature of the vehicle, requires a new front end (it's a fibreglass sports car!) as the damage can't be repaired. The cost for which is in excess of £1800. Obviously my insurance would cover this, but i'm reluctant to claim as I believe the accident was not my fault, and it will effect my premiums in the coming years.
The question is, is the "hunt" liable for any damages, and is it expected that they have public liability insurance etc, to cover such events? Any pack owners/ hunt members with knowledge or experience of this?
I didn't really want to have to do that, as I'm very much pro-hunting and understand that it's more difficult than ever for packs to continue, given the current state of Law. Can anybody offer any advice? £1800's is nt something I can justify spending at the moment!
Thanks,
Martyn.
