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What should you do if you hit a deer or another animal in Denmark?

The 1812 animal line and what to do on the spot

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Short answer

If you hit a wild animal or a stray pet, call the animal emergency line Dyrenes Vagtcentral on 1812 before you drive on. The line is open day and night and the call is free, and if anyone is injured you call 112 first. Pull over, switch on the hazard lights, put on a reflective vest and set up the warning triangle. If the animal ran off, do not follow it: mark the place with a cloth or string on a post or branch so a tracking dog handler can find the trail.

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Why

  1. An injured deer that runs off can suffer for a long time.
  2. Following the animal spoils the trail for the tracking dog.
  3. The rule covers wild animals and stray pets alike.

Details

A volunteer from Dyrenes Beskyttelse or a Falck animal rescuer usually comes out, and Dyrenes Beskyttelse pays for treatment or any emergency euthanasia.

Tip

Before you call, note the road name, road number, kilometre post or GPS position, and keep your phone on afterwards.

What may differ

On a busy motorway the advice is not to stop but to drive on when it is safe, unless the car is badly damaged.

Common misconception

Many drivers think there is nothing to do if the deer runs off after the collision.

What actually happens

You still call 1812 and mark the spot, so a tracking dog can find the injured animal.

People also ask

  • When are deer collisions most likely in Denmark?
  • Do you have to move a dead animal off the road?
  • Should I call 112 or 114 in Denmark?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Traffic rules, fines and fees can change, so check the Danish authorities before you drive.

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