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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'.
Eighty-six per cent would not contact the police.

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.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."