A simple oversight, such as a poorly fastened leash or an open door, can have fatal consequences. F. P.

Alarm on the Roads: Nearly 1,900 Dogs Killed in Traffic Accidents Each Summer

Patxi Fernández

Viernes, 27 de junio 2025, 08:12

With the start of the summer holidays, the Royal Canine Society of Spain (RSCE) highlights a concerning reality: each year, nearly 1,900 dogs are killed in traffic accidents on Spanish roads between May and September. This alarming figure underscores the need for heightened caution and responsibility when travelling.

In addition to the obvious risk to the animal, a collision can trigger chain-reaction accidents that endanger other drivers' safety. Therefore, the RSCE urges all drivers to exercise extreme caution, even on short trips. Safe holidays begin with conscious actions.

According to data from Royal Canin, RACE, and the DGT, the majority of these tragic incidents, 70%, occur on secondary roads and interurban routes. Regions such as Andalusia, Galicia, Castile and León, and Castile-La Mancha are the most affected, especially during the summer period when traffic in these areas significantly increases.

The RSCE warns that a simple oversight, like a poorly fastened leash or an open door, can have fatal consequences. Besides the risk to the animal, a collision can cause chain-reaction accidents that compromise the safety of other drivers. Traffic regulations already prohibit leaving animals unattended if there is a risk they might access public roads, but the RSCE insists on the need for an empathetic and conscious attitude from owners.

Key Tips for a Safe Summer with Your Pet:

To ensure everyone's safety, the RSCE offers five essential recommendations for drivers travelling with dogs:

Use approved restraint systems: Always use special seat belts, carriers, or appropriate dividers.

Never leave the dog alone in the vehicle: Especially not under the sun, as high temperatures can be deadly.

Secure the dog before opening the car door: Even during brief stops, a scare can cause them to escape.

Take frequent breaks: Allow them to hydrate, walk, and reduce stress.

Keep an eye on the animal at all times: Especially near urban areas or roads.

José Miguel Doval, president of the RSCE, emphasizes that "letting a dog loose on public roads is not only irresponsible but also a crime that endangers its life and road safety."

This organization appeals to each owner's commitment to protect their pets and ensure a peaceful and tragedy-free holiday.

Besides pets, in Spain, it is more likely to encounter a wild animal on the road in rural areas, especially on secondary and interurban roads that cross or border wooded areas, fields, hunting zones, or natural parks.

Knowing these risk areas and applying these recommendations is vital to protect your safety and that of wildlife on our roads.

Key Recommendations from the DGT

Reduce speed: Especially at dawn, dusk, and during the night, when animal activity is highest.

Pay maximum attention: Constantly scan the sides of the road and maintain a safe distance.

Respect signage: Immediately slow down when you see "Danger: loose animals" signs.

Beware of the "herd effect": If you see one animal crossing, others are likely to follow.

Avoid dazzling the animal: If an animal is immobilized by your high beams, switch to low beams and honk to try to scare it away.

Brake hard, do not swerve sharply (if it's a large animal): Attempting to swerve around a large animal like a deer or boar can cause loss of control or a head-on collision. Prioritize braking hard while maintaining your trajectory. If the animal is small, consider evasive manoeuvres with extreme caution, ensuring you do not compromise your safety or that of other vehicles.

Statistics point to Castile and León as the most affected region, where accidents involving animals can account for up to 61% of all road accidents. It is closely followed by Andalusia, Castile-La Mancha, Galicia, and Navarre, with the latter seeing a third of interurban road accidents caused by wildlife. The province of Guadalajara stands out for its high incidence, with some sections where 94% of accidents are due to animal intrusions.

The presence of wild animals on these roads is due to them being their natural habitat, where they seek food, water, or shelter. The lack of perimeter fencing and poor lighting on secondary roads facilitate their access to the roadway. Additionally, animal activity intensifies during hunting seasons or mating and migration periods. Roe deer, wild boars, and deer are, by far, the animals most involved in these collisions.