Dog owners are being urged to make their pets visible to drivers this autumn, as shorter days mean many evening walks will soon take place in low light or full darkness. One common oversight could leave pets much harder to spot than owners realise.
By September 30 the sun will set at 6.48pm, and on Sunday, October 25, when the clocks go back, sunset will be at 4.50pm. That means many owners who walk their dogs before or after work will soon be doing so in darkness.
Why dogs become hard to see
Natalie Surtees, COO and co-founder of Tedaisy Insurance Group, the company behind Perfect Pet, said: "Most owners don't think twice about heading out on the same walk, at the same time, that they've been doing all summer."
"The difference is that a few weeks later, that walk can be happening in near darkness. A dog wearing a standard collar and lead can be very hard for a driver, cyclist or runner to pick out, particularly on a poorly lit road or path."
Surtees said the easiest place to start is with what the dog is wearing, especially if it has a darker coat. "Dogs with dark fur can blend into the background almost completely after sunset. It helps to think about your dog's visibility in the same way you'd think about your own."
Simple kit that makes a difference
"Reflective collars, leads and harnesses are widely available, and a clip-on LED light or a reflective coat can make a real difference to how early someone spots your dog," she said.
It isn't only the dog that can be hard to see. Surtees pointed out that the person on the other end of the lead can be just as easy to miss, and carrying a torch or wearing reflective clothing makes owner and dog far easier to spot as a pair.
A torch also lets owners see what their dog is sniffing or picking up, which is much harder to keep an eye on in the dark.
Off-lead risks and microchip checks
Being able to see your dog clearly matters even more once the lead comes off. Surtees said: "A dog that's perfectly reliable off the lead in daylight can be a different story after dark, simply because it's so much harder for the owner to keep sight of them."
"Keeping dogs on the lead near roads gives owners far more control if something unexpected happens." Rule 56 of the Highway Code states that dogs should be kept on a short lead when walking on the pavement, on the road, or on a path shared with cyclists or horse riders.
Even with the right kit and a well-lit route, things don't always go to plan. Surtees said: "If a dog is startled and runs off in the dark, it can be much harder to find them. With fireworks season also approaching, it's a good time for owners to check their dog's tag and microchip details are current."
Surtees added: "None of this means cutting back on walks. Autumn can be a lovely time of year to be out with your dog. A few small changes, like a light on the collar and a torch in your pocket, mean both of you can keep enjoying those darker evenings."
