Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Related pages

• Traffic Incident Management Bulletin

August 2007

Introduction

All too frequently animals of varying sizes gain access to the Highways Agency network. Any high speed road is a dangerous and intimidating environment to be in and these animals often need assistance. It was identified at the Traffic Officer National Procedures User Group that there was a need for guidance on who to contact when dealing with animals on the Highways Agency's network. This article highlights the key points of the new desktop guide.

What does the new guide cover?

The desktop guide has been produced for the Traffic Officer Service detailing the arrangements in place to assist  Traffic Officers deal with incidents involving live animals on the network. It is intended to incorporate this information into the existing Traffic Officer procedures.  The information is in the process of being rolled out to all the Regional Control Centres and outstations. The target for completion of roll out is August 2007.

The guidance categorises animals on the network as follows:

• Injured
• Healthy
• Dangerous

Any deceased animal is normally removed from the network by the Service Provider in a similar manner to debris.

There is a simple flowchart within the desktop guide (412 KB PDF) to follow depending on the type of animal and the above categories, please follow the link to the flowchart procedure. The precise process is not being covered within the article but the agreements, issues and organisations involved will be.

Getting assistance on scene

Injured animals need to be handled with care as they will be distressed and may react aggressively. For animals other than horses the RSPCA are contacted and will normally attend to recover the animal. If they are unable to attend they will make arrangements for the animal to be treated by a local vet. This is carried out in accordance with the Operational Agreement between the Highways Agency and the RSPCA. The RSPCA will become involved if there is any suggestion that the animal has been deliberately abandoned on the network.

Efforts should be made to trace the owner of any injured livestock. If this is not possible then the RSPCA will intervene. The RSPCA operate 24 hours a day and typically will attend scene within 1 hour.

If a horse is injured and the owner is not able to arrange rapid attendance by their local vet then the HA Regional Control Centre will access the Command and Control system and call out a British Equine Veterinary Association registered vet . If the owner is not traceable then costs for this will be borne by the Emergency Services Protocol Veterinary Fund. The Emergency Services Protocol when dealing with incidents involving equines. 

Stray dogs will be collected by the local authority dog wardens during office hours, 24 hour police kennels are available out of hours.

Dangerous animals, such as aggressive bulls or dogs that pose a danger, are typically dealt with via the police firearms unit. Unfortunately, on one occasion, Greater Manchester Police Firearms Unit were forced to use lethal force to contain a bull on the M6 near Charnock Richard Service Area.

The agreements in place and the new guidance to the Traffic Officer Service should provide a more robust process to allow any animal unfortunate enough to stray onto the network to be dealt with quickly, efficiently and humanely.

Project Progress

At the time of publication the roll out process will have been completed with all RCCs now operating to the new desktop guidance. One major area of work has been compiling the extensive contact list required. This list has been loaded onto the Command and Control system with entries for the RSPCA, Horse specialists, dog wardens and many more. 

There is a training issue for those who are expected to assist on scene but do not routinely work on the Highways Agency network. For example, dog wardens have been contacted nationally to set out how their attendance on the network will be managed.

The Highways Agency has given assurances that Traffic Officers requesting assistance from animal welfare personnel will provide protection on scene until the animal has been removed. That aside, high visibility vests to BS EN 471 are strongly recommended for anyone who may be dealing with animals on the network

Timeline of development

• December 2006 - Draft agreement with the RSPCA for attendance to injured animals.
• February 2007 - The North East RCC piloted the new process
• March 2007 - Exchange visits were held between the North East RCC and the RSPCA Control centre.
   Local Authority Dog Wardens contacted nationally and given safety information
• May 2007 - The Highways Agency joined the British Equine Veterinary Association Protocol.
• June 2007 - North West &  East Midlands areas adopt new process
• July 2007 - West Midlands area adopts new process
   Contact lists loaded onto Command and Control nationally
• August 2007 - South East, East, SW  areas adopt new process

Shane Harrington, NW RCC Supervisor, who has been involved in the rollout in the North West said: "This is a step in the right direction and will aid the RCC greatly in their response to dealing with animals on the network, ensuring that our Traffic Officers are not left at the side of the motorway for hours; allowing them to focus on their main duty of tackling congestion."

Has this article been worthwhile reading? Why not take a moment to send us your comments, thoughts or questions. Please e-mail TIMbulletin@highways.gsi.gov.uk.