Most drivers would break law if they hit a dog, research finds
Blue Cross urges road users and pet owners to 'Paws, Prevent and Protect'.
A new survey from Blue Cross has revealed that 86 per cent of drivers would break the law after hitting a dog by not informing the police.
It has now launched its ‘Blue Cross Code’ campaign, which encourages drivers and pet owners to act cautiously when using the roads this winter.
The charity’s research was motivated by estimations that 80,000 dogs and 230,000 cats are hit by a car on UK roads each year. Blue Cross sought to understand how drivers respond to these instances.
The survey revealed that 54 per cent of drivers would stop their vehicle and take a wounded dog to a veterinary practice, while 16 per cent said they would knock on nearby doors to find the dog’s owner.
However, 16 per cent of drivers admitted that they would prioritise their journey if they hit a dog, increasing to 35 per cent of young drivers.
In all of these cases, the driver would be breaking UK law by not contacting the police after hitting a dog. The same law does not apply to cats.
Inspired by the famous 1970s Green Cross Code campaign, the Blue Cross has now created its own ‘Blue Cross Code’. The safety initiative encourages both drivers and pet owners to be aware of the risks on the road in the winter with three guiding principles: Paws, Prevent and Protect.
Firstly, people should ‘paws’ – ‘stop, look and think’. They need to be aware of who they are sharing the road with.
Dogs should be kept on leads when they are walked near roads and kept on the inside of the pavement. Road users should drive slowly and be aware of any animals on the road.
The second principle is ‘prevent’, which advises pet owners to consider what they can do to prevent their pet coming to danger. Motorists should check there are no cats hiding underneath their vehicle when they start their journey.
Finally, Blue Cross asks that pet owners and motorists ‘protect’ the wellbeing of animals by thinking about what they can do to ensure the best possible outcome in the event of an accident.
If a motorist does hit a dog, it is a legal requirement that they contact the police in the first instance. They can then cover the pet and take them to the nearest veterinary practice.
Paul Manktelow, chief veterinary surgeon at Blue Cross, said: “As the clocks go back and those longer, darker winter nights draw in, the safety of all road users is something everyone should consider before they or their four-legged friend leaves the house.
“So let’s all follow the code’s three simple rules of Paws, Prevent and Protect - and hopefully we’ll have no heartbreaks this winter.”
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The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
