THINGS YOU MUST DO LEGALLY IF YOU HIT AN ANIMAL WITH YOUR CAR

Initially, the first thing you need to do in the event of hitting an animal is to stop the car and pull over. Approach the injured animal with caution and bear in mind that it is likely to be very scared and it could try to bite or scratch you. If you think you may have hit someone's pet, see if you can find its collar to access its owner's contact details.

Some 14,649 animals are run over and killed each year, according to research, with the A1 and M6 responsible for the largest numbers. The actual number is supposedly a lot higher due to incidents which go unreported. You should never swerve to avoid a collision. Violent swerving is considered, on the face of it, negligent driving. There will always be a consideration of the facts in every case but it is vital that drivers do not put the interests of animals above those of other road users.

If you are faced with one of the animals listed in the Road Traffic Act 1988, then it may well be reasonable to carry out an emergency stop if, for example, such animals suddenly dashed in front of your vehicle and would cause serious damage should you hit them head on. The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that drivers must report hitting: dogs, goats, horses, cattle, donkeys, mules, sheep and pigs. If you hit an animal not included in the Road Traffic Act, such as badgers, foxes and cats, you aren't required by law to report it to the police but you may want to inform them anyway out of courtesy.

With cats not included in the Road Traffic Act 1988 but dogs making an appearance in...