Hitting a pigeon when driving 21 September 2022 at 5:46PM in Motoring 40 replies 1.6K views

DanS1

What are the consequences of this? I know if you hit a dog or cat and drive off its illegal, but what about pigeons? I wasn't sure what it was when I hit it but when I drove back the opposite way I saw a pigeon lying motionless in the road. 

Alanp

I’ve squashed a few, so unless I’ve angered the pigeon gods, I’m not worried 

TooManyPoints

Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act (the duty to stop/report) applies if you cause injury to a horse, cattle, !!!!!!, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog. So you're in the clear.

There is an animal between cattle and mule, three letters, starting with 'a' ending with 's', a small member of the horse family.  

The_Unready

!!!!!! Dastardly will probably send you a congratulatory email!

The_Unready

That's D i c k Dastardly!

Bigwheels1111

You must have been flying.

jimjames

I hit one on the motorway. Quite a cloud of feathers for the car behind but I didn't ever think I needed to stop so I wouldn't worry. If it was injured then you might want to help it but if it's dead then a fox might help clear it up soon enough.

hollie.weimeraner

Bigwheels1111 said:

You must have been flying.

https://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/21160789.red-arrows-pilot-disorientating-bird-strike-rhyl-air-show/

bigfer

I class pigeons as flying vermin. Best reverse over it to make sure.

Ebe_Scrooge

DanS1 said:

What are the consequences of this? I know if you hit a dog or cat and drive off its illegal, but what about pigeons?

Legally, if you hit a dog you're supposed to report it, but not a cat (although morally you probably should make some attempt to contact the owner, it's likely to be a well-loved pet)

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driving-advice/what-to-do-if-you-hit-an-animal-with-your-car/

You don't need to worry if you hit a bird - though it would probably be kind to make sure it's dead, and finish it off if it's severely injured and in pain (assuming it's safe to do so).

Goudy

If you've crashed into someones pigeon loft and ran over one, you might want to report that.

If you've splattered one on the road that was pecking away at some chewing gum, don't worry.