What to do if you hit an animal while driving a vehicle
It’s not a scenario anyone wants to find themselves in, but it happens. Hitting an animal when you’re on the road can be traumatic, especially if it’s somebody’s beloved pet, but if you follow these steps you can respond humanely while also addressing any potential insurance and legal implications.
If any people were harmed in the collision, pull over safely and call 911 immediately. After ensuring those involved in the collision are taken care of, your next concern should be the safety of the others on the road.
“Ensure the animal is illuminated in your headlights and your hazard lights are on. The priority should be on ensuring that fellow motorists can see the downed animal,” says Lewis Smith, manager of national projects at the Canada Safety Council.
Do you need to call the police? After safely assessing the damage, you do need to notify the relevant authorities in most cases.
“Call your local Ministry of Natural Resources office or the non-emergency police line and give them as exact a location as you can,” says Smith. “Then inspect your own vehicle to make sure it’s still in driveable condition. Remember that you may be obligated by law to report the incident to the police if the damage exceeds a specific threshold.”
Injured pets are legally classified as damaged property across the country, but the details and thresholds vary between provinces and territories. For example, in British Columbia you’re required to report accidental killings of wildlife, while in Yukon you must report whether it was wildlife or a pet with a collar.
The law gets even more specific in Quebec. There, you must report if you are unable to find the animal’s owner and it weighs more than 25 kilograms (a golden retriever, for example, generally weighs around 30 to 34 kg) but there are also certain wild species that you are required to report regardless of size.
If you’re not sure whether you’re legally obliged to notify the police, it’s best to err on the side of caution and call a local non-emergency number just in case.
You may want to try to help the animal, but always keep in mind that your health should come first.
“If it’s injured, do not approach further. A wounded animal can be unpredictable and dangerous,” says Smith.
Humane Canada, Canada’s federation of humane societies and SPCAs, advises calling a local animal hospital or veterinarian who can treat the animal in a way that’s safe for all animals and humans present. If an SPCA isn’t able to provide animal-control service in your location, they may at least be able to connect you with a service that can.
“If it’s dead, you have the option of removing the animal on your own and leaving it at the roadside. However, don’t push yourself if you don’t feel physically capable of completing the task,” says Smith.
If you are unable to move the animal or aren’t equipped to do so safely, leave it there and let the police or animal control take care of it.
If a pet is injured or killed, the owner can make a claim against you for property damage, but whether or not you have to pay compensation or face criminal charges depends on if you’re found liable.
At the same time, you may have a claim to make yourself if the owner of the animal was negligent. The owner of the pet may be found liable and held accountable if, for example, they allowed their dog to run free near a major highway.
In a collision of any kind, it’s always a good idea to take photos (both close-ups of damage and wide shots of the scene of the crash) and take notes on your recollection of events for future reference. Once you’ve collected the details, call your insurance provider and inform them of the incident, even if you don’t intend to make a claim yourself.