Livestock owners are being urged to ensure their stock can’t escape following a number of incidents involving animals being hit by cars on the open road in recent months.

“In the last couple of months in the Bridgewater area alone, three horses have been killed by vehicles after escaping from their paddocks and wandering on to public roads,” said Acting Sergeant Jennifer Hawkins.

“One of these incidents happened at Tea Tree where a horse had to be destroyed after it was hit by a vehicle and the following night two horses were killed instantly by a car at Risdon Vale. Thankfully the drivers were not seriously injured on these occasions,” she said.

Some other examples of livestock escaping include:

July 2012 – a horse was found wandering on a public road at Lauderdale. This was reported by a member of the public before an accident occurred;

September 2011 – a cow was instantly killed by a vehicle at Mangalore after escaping from its paddock;

June 2011 – 2 horses escaped from their paddock – one was killed instantly after being hit by a vehicle. The driver was not seriously injured.

“In all of these incidents the drivers were not seriously injured but treated for shock and there can be ongoing trauma as a result of these incidents,” Acting Sergeant Hawkins said.

“When you see the damage caused to the vehicles by the animals, the drivers involved have been very lucky to escape serious injury.”

Acting Sergeant Hawkins says the latest incidents act as a timely reminder for all livestock  owners to check that fences are in good condition and gates are closed so that their animals cannot wander onto public roads.

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