Worc05

Hi, I'm very new to angling and new to this forum, but I've had an incident on the canal towpath and wonder how to deal with it. I spotted a runner coming along the towpath and moved my rod accordingly. Unfortunately I didn't spot his dog following on behind him and had replaced my rod on the towpath when the dog bumped into it and fractured the end section of my fibreglass rod. I was given the rod which is about 4 years old, but I'm told a replacement will cost £1000. Who is liable in this case? I have insurance but the excess is £100 - I have spoken to the runner who says I was obstructing the towpath, but then I could say his dog wasn't under control!! Its an odd one I know but any advice would be much appreciated.