Dog walking safety experts are warning pet owners about a common autumn mistake that can make dogs nearly invisible to drivers during darker evening walks.
Darker evenings ahead
Autumn is one of the best seasons for dog walking, with crisp air, rustling leaves and fewer crowds in parks. However, daylight is fading quickly. By September 30, sunset will have slipped to 6.48pm, and when clocks go back on Sunday, October 25, it will happen at 4.50pm.
Owners who walk their dogs before or after work will soon be doing so in dim light or complete darkness. One widespread error could make their pet much harder to see than expected.
Expert advice on visibility
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."
She added: "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 noted that the simplest starting point is considering what the dog wears, especially for dogs with darker coats. "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," she said.
Reflective collars, leads and harnesses are widely available, and a clip-on LED light or reflective coat can make a real difference to how early someone spots a dog.
Owner visibility and off-lead risks
It is not just the dog that can be hard to spot. Surtees highlighted that the person holding the lead can be equally difficult to see, and using a torch or wearing reflective gear makes both owner and dog considerably more visible together.
A torch also lets owners monitor what their dog is sniffing or collecting, which becomes much harder in darkness. Keeping sight of a dog is even more critical when it is off-lead. "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," Surtees explained.
Keeping dogs on the lead near roads gives owners far more control if something unexpected happens. Rule 56 of the Highway Code also 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.
Preparation for emergencies
Even with the right equipment and a well-lit route, situations can still go wrong. 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."
She concluded: "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."
