Dog Walking Group

[anthro-nerd]

I run a dog walking group, and it's recently got a lot of interest, so it's n o longer strictly friends and family. I basically schedule in one walk a month, and anyone can turn up with their dog(s) to join us.

My question is, do I need to worry about insurance or anything should someone's dog bite anothers? I've written on the group that everyone is responsible for their own dog in the hope that covers it, but as more people show an interest I'm starting to worry!

It's been going on for 8 months now, and grown from maybe 10 dogs to 20 (give or take) and it so so wonderful to see all the dogs enjoying each other's company and having a great time and I've received such great feedback! It's completely free, and I have said if your dog is reactive this isn't the right place as it's not a training facility, just a walk through the countryside.

What do people think? Do I need insurance or am I over thinking it? Thanks!

[bednobs]

i am not sure (which i know isn't a helpful answer. I used to run a flyball group and we had insurance for that, but i think that was because we used to "make" money from it (not really make - we used to charge £2 per session and use that money to buy equipment)
One time a lady fell over a bit of equipment at the group and broke her leg and as she was self employed, she did discuss suing us to cover her losses. She never did sue us, but i sure would have been glad of the insurance if she had've done. the insurance itself wasnt too expensive - it was about £70 PY and covered us for dogs biting people, causing accidents etc as well

[anthro-nerd]

Bednobs, that's the worry isn't it... if someone trips or a dog bites (very glad you weren't sued!)... Such a shame to need to think of all this when all I'm doing is a nice walk through the countryside! Thank you for your answer :-)

[Islay]

Could you get everybody to sign a waiver?
You know something along the lines of - I attend this dog walking at my own risk and I will not hold so and so responsible?

[anthro-nerd]

Islay, yes I've written something along those lines on the group page... that if you attend one of the walks you do so 'at your own risk' so to speak... I was worried that wouldn't be enough!

[anthro-nerd]

Thanks spath :-)

[woofgang]

I think it might be sensible to get people to actually sign the waiver so they can't say they didn't know but more importantly I'd be concerned about what would happen if there was any kind of incident with a non group member. Might be worth checking to see if your local council website has any advice.

[anthro-nerd]

Good idea, thanks woof

[Barmaid]

I think you should contact a broker who provides cover for these types of events. One way to do some research is to look at Informal Walks through the Ramblers Association.

The problem I foresee is that you cannot exclude personal injury where there is negligence.

I would imagine the likelihood of a claim is extremely low but for what is probably a small premium you could have peace of mind. You certainly wouldnt want to be on the receiving end of a claim however remote that chance is.

[anthro-nerd]

Thanks Barmaid, I'll take a look. That's just it isn't it, the risk is low, but is it even worth the risk?

[woofgang]

its the old risk assessment matrix thing....the liklihood of an incident happening may be low....but the outcome of that incident might be very nasty indeed.

[Peter Pedant]

Bednobs took money and so that made it a contract ( law different )

yours is voluntary so it would be decided in tort and the victim would have to show that you owed a duty of care to them - and as a group leader with no control over w2ho turns up - that is a major hurdle

then to show any breach led to the damage

it is more likely they would go after the owner - less hurdles....

I think you might be able to get insurance for around £100 but in the event of a claim in view of my comments above I think it is very likely that they would say - whatever the facts that they werent gonna pay.

[Peter Pedant]

oops - BM has replied
scrub my reply

sorry BM - hadnt realised - La Deesse had spoken !

[Barmaid]

PP that's all very well and whilst they may have "big hurdles" to get over it could cost AN personally to have their claim struck out. Whereas if there was insurance in place the insurers would take over the management of the claim and cover any legal costs.