Collisions with animals

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.

What you need to do after a collision with an animal depends on what you’ve hit and what’s happened to it.

When to report a collision with an animal to the police

You need to call 999 if somebody is hurt. You must also do this if the collision has caused a blockage or dangerous obstruction in the road.

If you hit 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
• pig
• goat
• sheep
• donkey
• mule

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.

You may also report collisions or incidents involving deer by calling 101.

Road traffic incidents where you don’t need to tell the police

You don’t need to contact the police if you hit a wild animal that isn’t in the list above.

There are still actions you need to take depending on what has happened to the wild animal.

When you hit and kill a wild animal

If you hit and kill a wild animal that is not in the list above, you must leave it by the roadside and tell your local council, who can then remove it. You can find your local council on the gov.uk website.

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.

When you hit and injure a wild animal

Please note, injured animals can act unpredictably. Don’t approach one if you think it’s unsafe to do so.

If you can't take it to a vet immediately or safely, you need to contact us on 101, as allowing a wild animal to suffer is an offence. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.