Reporting animal collisions 2025

5 November 2025

More than two fifths of drivers (46%¹) are unaware of their requirement to contact the police should they be involved in a collision with a goat, according to new insight from AA Accident Assist. Similarly, two in five were unaware of the legal requirement to report incidents involving pigs, mules and asses (donkeys).

However, from responses by more than 13,000 drivers, eight out of 10 drivers knew that incidents involving horses must be reported to the police, alongside three quarters of drivers who also knew about dogs and cattle.

The poll also reveals that British drivers believe the law asks them to report on other animals. Half believed they needed to report deer strikes, while a quarter said they needed to inform the police about incidents involving cats. Other animals drivers thought needed to be legally reported included; badgers (19%), beavers (15%), llamas (44%), red squirrels (10%) and hedgehogs (6%).

Q. The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that drivers must stop and report a collision where damage is caused to an 'animal'. According to the Act, what is classified as an 'animal'? (13,481 responses) Highlighted fields determined 'animal' within the Act

What the law says

The law surrounding what is a reportable incident are clear. Rule 286 of The Highway Code² says that any collision involving an animal should be reported and refers drivers to Section 170 of The Road Traffic Act 1988. It is in this section³ where the definition of animal is given as “horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog.” Incidents need to be reported to the police as soon as possible, or at least within 24 hours.

In the past, there have been several requests for cats to be added to the list, but this was refused in 2022 with the Government arguing that the legislation was based on whether the animal could be defined as a ‘working animal’ rather than a domestic pet⁴

"Contacting the authority responsible for maintaining the road if they see a dead animal on the road is the least people can do."

The AA recommends that collisions involving an animal not specified within the Act should at the least be reported to the local roads' authority, especially if the animal has died or is on the carriageway. Similarly, notification of domestic pets, such as cats, should use local veterinary surgeries so owners could be told of their loss.

Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said; “All animals are created equal, until they are involved in a car crash. Then the law is very strict about what should and shouldn’t be reported.

“While there is often debate about what drivers should do to comply with the law, our affinity as a nation of animal lovers means nobody likes seeing roadkill on our streets. What is clear is that drivers are willing to consider reporting a wide range of animals if they have the misfortune to hit them.

“Contacting the authority responsible for maintaining the road if they see a dead animal on the road is the least people can do. Similarly, hitting domestic pets not outlined within the law should be reported so owners can be informed.”

^1. Yonder received 13,481 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 8th to 18th September 2025. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

^2. The Road Traffic Act 1988 – Section 170

170 Duty of driver to stop, report accident and give information or documents

(1) This section applies in a case where, owing to the presence of a motor vehicle on a road, an accident occurs by which—

^3. The Highway Code - Breakdowns and incidents (275 to 287) - Guidance - GOV.UK

^4. Make it a legal requirement for drivers to stop & report collisions with cats - Petitions