"but your daughter did the right thing - in wa it is illegal to swerve to miss an animal."
I didn't know that. I will always swerve to miss one unless an accident is imminent.
I am working in Hamilton Hill (Perth) this week. For some reason I see 2 or 3 dogs a day roaming unattended. We look out for them traffic wise. Today a young pup darted across 2 lanes...fortunately no cars (busy South St). The next 2 lanes were light with traffic. One car stopped but a van didn't see it. The pup flinched with mm to spare and continued on its way. It must've been a cat in a previous life with lives banked! My female colleague screamed and looked away as it looked unlikely the pup was going to make it across. In a situation like that, full on traffic, swerving is not an option.
On the subject of L-platers. Yesterday a 911 Carrera with Ls cruised past us. Makes you shake your head with a smile.