Hit-and-run animal deaths

“It is quite common for people to run over sheep and lambs and drive off without letting anybody know. It is usually the drivers who discover the dead or injured animals who raise the alarm,” says Erna Ósk Guðna­dótt­ir, a farmer from the West Fjords region of Iceland.

Guðna­dótt­ir posted a status on Facebook yesterday describing how she discovered two dead lambs on the road by her farm. They had been run over and nobody had thought to inform her.

Lambs trying to reach their mother

“In 99% of cases, lambs are on the other side of the road and are run over while running across to their mother,” explains Guðna­dótt­ir.

She points out that it is important to let the farmer know if a sheep or lamb is run over. “Last year we had to put down an adult sheep whose leg had been run over and had begun to putrefy. We were not informed of the accident and the sheep spent all summer out on the meadow injured.”

“We will not be angry”

Guðna­dótt­ir reassures drivers that they need not fear reprisals or fines if they accidentally run over sheep or lambs. “People can just ring 112 and inform the police, or call the nearest farm, who will let the appropriate farmer know,” she explains. She is insured against such accidents and does not charge drivers for any sheep or lambs killed.

“I would much rather people let us know than to drive off because they fear a fine,” concludes Guðna­dótt­ir. “Of course, accidents will always happen. In this area, sheep are allowed to roam freely and many end up on or near roads. We will not be angry – we will simply be grateful for being informed.”