What to do if you hit an animal whilst driving (2024)

Sometimes a car accident is not always classed as an incident with a person. If you’re driving on a country road it could easily involve an animal. These situations can be very upsetting… but according to Gov.uk, the law states that you must stop at the scene for the animals listed below and report it the Police whether they survive or not.

• Dogs
• Horses
• Cattle (Cows)
• Goats
• Donkeys & Mules
• Pigs
• Sheep

Once the Police are aware and the owners have been notified, you are then free to leave the scene. However, if the owner is untraceable you must still report what’s happened to your local Police station within 24hrs of the incident taking place. The Police should also be able to give a list of local veterinary clinics if the animal needs urgent care and is in a critical condition.

If you hit a cat

As horrific as the idea is of hitting someone’s pet whether it be a cat, dog or rabbit. You are not required legally to stop at the scene if you hit a cat… but if you do, and it has a chance of survival, the best thing you can do is:

• Move the animal to safety (if it can be moved) and ideally take it to the nearest vet
• Notify the owner as soon as possible if the cat is microchipped
• If the cat cannot be identified at the vets, tell your local council and file a missing pet report

What you can do to prevent hitting an animal whilst driving

Ensure you stick to the speed limits on roads at all times. Try to pay attention to road signs that state that deer and other creatures may be likely to cross or may be living close by, and take extra care during the early mornings and late evenings when they are likely to be foraging for food.

How to report an injured animal

Report an injured animal to theRSPCAin England or Wales or its equivalent in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

RSPCA
Telephone: 0300 1234 999
Find out about call charges

Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA)
Telephone: 03000 999 999
Find out about call charges

Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA)
Telephone: 028 3025 1000
Find out about call charges

Pesticide poisonings

Call the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme if you think an animal has been poisoned by pesticides.

Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme
Telephone: 0800 321 600
Find out about call charges