Police have set out the legal obligations for drivers who hit an animal, explaining which creatures must be reported and how to respond safely after a collision.
On Ask The Police, a website run by police forces across the UK, the question was asked: "I have hit an animal whilst driving, do I have to report it to the police?"
The answer reads: "Some animals are not included in the definition of 'animal' given in the legislation, so you are not required to report accidents with them to the police."
Animals covered by the law
"A dog (as well as a goat, horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep and pig) are animals covered within the remit of the legislation; therefore, you are required by law to report any accident with these animals to the police."
However, if the animal you have hit is not listed above, it may still be worth contacting the police to inform them of the incident. Additionally, the local authority will need to be contacted to remove the remains of the animal.
The police remind motorists that "badgers are specially protected" and it's an "offence to possess one, dead or alive, (without the proper authority), so if you kill one, leave it at the roadside. If you are concerned, you can voluntarily contact the police."
What to do after a collision
In separate advice, the British Transport Police (BTP) stresses: "It is not a crime if you hit an animal by accident with your vehicle. It could be a crime if you don’t report hitting certain animals, or if you leave the animal to suffer. It is also a crime if you hit an animal with your vehicle on purpose."
Drivers should call 999 if somebody is hurt. They must also do this if the collision has caused a blockage or dangerous obstruction in the road.
If a driver hits one of the following animals, nobody is hurt, and there are no blockages or obstructions in the road, you need to call 101: dog, horse, cow, deer, pig, goat, sheep, donkey, mule.
If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the BTP's textphone service on 18001 101. It adds: "You shouldn't try to remove the animal yourself. Some wild animals are protected. That means it's an offence to have one in your possession, dead or alive. Injured animals can act unpredictably. Don’t approach one if you think it’s unsafe to do so."
Reporting injured animals
You can report injured pets and wild animals to the RSPCA if you’re in England or Wales, or the equivalent organisations if you’re in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
The RSPCA can be contacted online or by telephone on 0300 1234 999, Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm. The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) can be reached on 03000 999 999, Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm. The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) can be contacted at wildlife@uspca.co.uk or by telephone on 028 3025 1000, Monday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm.
