Not so many run-over animals on the roads these days?

1o059k7ewrqj3n

I was having a lucid moment while making tea and I thought, you don't really see that many dogs and cats run over on the road these days.

Are the numbers down due to Brexit? Covid restrictions?

Have the dogs and cats 'levelled' up and achieved a new kind of intelligence and awareness and now actively avoid zooming deathcrush on the still black river?

When I was younger, you'd often see animals dead on the roads, especially pets like cats and dogs. I guess it's different now, people keep their dogs in and on the lead when out for the most part. Doesn't quite explain the absence of cats corpses on the roads though?

Btw, did you know, if you run over a dog you are supposed to report it, but you don't have to report it if you run over a cat :eek:

beertons

*burp

It wasn't me

gozunda

Ah roadkill - That a ghoulish late night topic for sure

Id imagine tte fact that we're all limited to just 5 km regular excursions might explain not seeing a lot of squashed animals.

That and people are at home more and pets are being minded a bit more and less likely to wander perhaps?

Or like the dolphins in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - they've all left for another planet knowing the ****estorm that's going on atm :pac:

1o059k7ewrqj3n

beertons wrote: »

*burp

It wasn't me

BuboBubo

Don't know about urban areas, but in the countryside wandering loose dogs tend to get shot. Microchips have enabled identification of dogs owners, who can face a large bill from sheep farmers.

The good old days of driving along whilst being chased 300 yards by a mad looney dog are long gone.

I have noticed a massive reduction in feral cats about too. We used to have the occasional feline come for food, but they were so wild you couldn't get near them. Haven't had any feral visitors for about a year now. I was wondering myself if the feral population is dying out.

auspicious

Feral cats are not on the decline unfortunately. Still too many people are complacent.

In another couple of months though, as every other year there'll be a glut of stricken young foxes dotting the roadside.

Cerveza

The cyclists are making up for it particularly John and Theresa and their four children Rianna, Siobhán, David and josh. Wobbling all over the road thinking they are doing the Tour de France.

Suckit

Feral cats in my area are all but gone bar a few in the actual village centre. There used to be loads of them which was great for keeping the rats and mice at bay, but they also unfortunately killed many birds.
Now we have building developers keeping the birds away and driving the mice and rats to our houses.

But fewer roadkill, although I don't remember seeing a load of domestic roadkill anyway, I saw a cat last year, and unfortunately a Heron.

Qwertyminger

BuboBubo wrote: »

The good old days of driving along whilst being chased 300 yards by a mad looney dog are long gone.

Absolutely not true where I live. Four different monsters roaming the boiríns outside their houses. After a few years walking past them you'd think they'd know the people to expect but they're savage vicious bitches and if they caught you they wouldn't let go til they heard cracking.

sdanseo

Went to the garage just now for a litre of milk. Saw 2 foxes in the space of maybe 6/7km roundtrip

I'd say I've seen 5 or 6 of them in lockdown and probably the same number in the 10 years before that.

fatknacker

No one lets their pets out alone anymore coz they’ll be kidnapped and sold €€€

Cerveza

A lot of pets heads are fcuked up too from witnessing bedroom activity and some engagement also.

Your Face

They must be planning something.

whisky_galore

Why did the hedgehog cross the road?

To see his flat mate.

BuboBubo

Qwertyminger wrote: »

Absolutely not true where I live. Four different monsters roaming the boiríns outside their houses. After a few years walking past them you'd think they'd know the people to expect but they're savage vicious bitches and if they caught you they wouldn't let go til they heard cracking.

Hasn't happened to me for at least a decade, but I live in shotgun toting sheep farmer territory.

Mr. CooL ICE

With dogs, I'd imagine that owners have gradually become more responsible over time. Dogs being restricted to the garden and not free roaming around the house, etc

For feral cats, there has been a big push towards "TNR" (trap, neuter, release) supported by many animal welfare organisations/charities to keep populations under control. Net result of this could be fewer ferals due to the aforementioned neutering.

BrianD3

Multiple factors but in general related to things becoming "better", more regulated and more litigious as time goes on plus increased awareness of animal welfare. Dogs kept in because people are wary about being sued if the dog bites someone or damages a car that runs over it. Fewer feral cats due to the TNR efforts of voluntary bodies. Farmers might have better fencing these days. Etc

There's also smaller factors like cars handling and braking better and having ESP and better tyres etc. Modern cars can shrug off an evasive manoeuvre that an older model would not. Also some cars come with thermal imaging cameras these days and will warn you of anything warm on the road ahead long before it becomes visible at night.

In term of wild animals, I see far fewer roadkill hedgehogs than I would have 20 years ago. This is a bad thing - there has been a big decline in hedgehog numbers.

Feisar

Dispatched a deer injured by a vehicle one time, tasted fine.

1o059k7ewrqj3n

BrianD3 wrote: »

There's also smaller factors like cars handling and braking better and having ESP and better tyres etc. Modern cars can shrug off an evasive manoeuvre that an older model would not. Also some cars come with thermal imaging cameras these days and will warn you of anything warm on the road ahead long before it becomes visible at night.

Is that true, cars have thermal imaging nowadays? Mad. Is it just more expensive models or they all do?

Ubbquittious

BrianD3 wrote: »

Multiple factors but in general related to things becoming "better", more regulated and more litigious as time goes on plus increased awareness of animal welfare. Dogs kept in because people are wary about being sued if the dog bites someone or damages a car that runs over it. Fewer feral cats due to the TNR efforts of voluntary bodies. Farmers might have better fencing these days. Etc

There's also smaller factors like cars handling and braking better and having ESP and better tyres etc. Modern cars can shrug off an evasive manoeuvre that an older model would not. Also some cars come with thermal imaging cameras these days and will warn you of anything warm on the road ahead long before it becomes visible at night.

In term of wild animals, I see far fewer roadkill hedgehogs than I would have 20 years ago. This is a bad thing - there has been a big decline in hedgehog numbers.

Or maybe its a sign of things getting worse and wildlife dieing out due to human activity

Zebra3

Cerveza wrote: »

The cyclists are making up for it particularly John and Theresa and their four children Rianna, Siobhán, David and josh. Wobbling all over the road thinking they are doing the Tour de France.

Making up for what?

Cyclists are killing animals now?

BrianD3

Steyr 556 wrote: »

Is that true, cars have thermal imaging nowadays? Mad. Is it just more expensive models or they all do?

It's been around for a good few years but only in expensive models i.e. big BMWs and Audis.. However now it's available in some Peugeots at least

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_qezd0TyfQ

punisher5112

In the 1st lockdown I seen so many deer and foxes and badgers.

Last few weeks nowhere near as much.

I think they wandered out more as so many roads were near empty the 1st time.

The deers were a mess and cars or trucks that hit would have been in bits it was that much of a mess on the road.

Galwayguy35

As the mornings get a bit brighter the deer crossing the road become more common, more of them than people around these parts.

Badly need to be culled.

feargale

BuboBubo wrote: »

The good old days of driving along whilst being chased 300 yards by a mad looney dog are long gone.

The reason dogs chase cars and bikes particularly is that they see this man with two wheels instead of two legs, and it being strange to them they assume it's an enemy.
Alot of humans are like that too. They assume that those who are unlike them in colour, creed, sexual orientation etc are inimical to their interests. Dogs don't have a monopoly of bigotry.

1o059k7ewrqj3n

feargale wrote: »

The reason dogs chase cars and bikes particularly is that they see this man with two wheels instead of two legs, and it being strange to them they assume it's an enemy.
Alot of humans are like that too. They assume that those who are unlike them in colour, creed, sexual orientation etc are inimical to their interests. Dogs don't have a monopoly of bigotry.

Dogs are bigoted against cars and bikes?

feargale

Steyr 556 wrote: »

Dogs are bigoted against cars and bikes?

Yep. And if you don't believe me try cycling past a vicious alsatian sometime and as you're doing so bend down, pat him on the head and say to him: "ecumenism is only half of it. Sure we're all into multiculturalism these days." Then watch him nod his head in agreement and slink away.

McGinniesta

Can I just ask what the correlation between brexit and road kill is?

iamstop

punisher5112 wrote: »

In the 1st lockdown I seen so many deer and foxes and badgers.

Last few weeks nowhere near as much.

I think they wandered out more as so many roads were near empty the 1st time.

The deers were a mess and cars or trucks that hit would have been in bits it was that much of a mess on the road.

Would that not be down to the winter? Most animals are less active in the winter if they're not in full on hibernation mode.

Zebra3

Zebra3 wrote: »

Making up for what?

Cyclists are killing animals now?

Those four children are vicious killers

punisher5112

iamstop wrote: »

Would that not be down to the winter? Most animals are less active in the winter if they're not in full on hibernation mode.

I can't say for definite but I was seeing the aftermath and pools of blood left after the body removed.

N11 and M11.

All years on it never seen anything like it, the roads were that quiet it was so strange and seen more wildlife out then ever before close to or on the road.

I've worked throughout and on the road up to 7 days a week.