Dead Exotics on UK Roads FOI Request update

 

It's the fact that I know animals not causing an obstruction will be left in situ and I have no doubt that most animals are killed on the busier roads where no one wants to stop!

So my thought is that IF an exotic was found dead only one of the road crew might take a photo. However, for public safety and other reasons I would have thought that there MUST be a procedure to contact DEFRA or Natural England. Knowing how these people work though "its dead no problem" is likelier their motto. 

I will go ahead with the appeal because this was a pretty quick response.

Dear Terry

Road Kill exotic animals on M6, M1, M4, A1, A38, A30. A66, M62 2015 to 2020

Thank you for your information request dated 12 August 2022 regarding exotic animals killed on the Strategic Road Network. We have dealt with your request under the provisions of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

You asked -

Please would you provide me with:

1. Any photographs or video footage taken by highway teams of any of the following:

(a) Puma like cats

(b) panther like cats

(c) jungle type cats

(d) any unidentified and large cats

(e) any unusual canid such as wolf, "wolf like", raccoon dog etc.

2.  Records of any of the above or other unusual "non native species"/"exotic" animals

3.   Roads of interest are the M6, M1, M4, A1, A38, A30. A66, M62

4.   Period of interest 2015 to 2020

Are exotic animals noted by name or simply recorded as "cat"? I would have thought, just in case it was an escaped pet, a large cat type would have been noted. Am I missing something on the list or is iut "just a dead animal", collected then disposed of?

We can confirm that we do not hold this information. Therefore, the information requested falls under Regulation 12(4)(a) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 for information not held

To answer your question regarding the disposal of animals.

Compulsorily microchipping all dogs means that it should now be easier to identify dog owners. If a microchip isn’t found, but there is some form of identification containing contact details, we will do our best to inform the owner of their pet’s fatality

All other animals are disposed of.

If you are not satisfied with your response you may ask for an internal review within 40 working days of receiving the response, by replying to this email. You can learn more about the internal review process at https://nationalhighways.co.uk/media/a14hbrhu/foi_eir_complaints_process.pdf.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/ or via the address below -

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Please remember to quote reference number FOI/4063 in any future communications about this response.

Kind regards

Customer Contact Excellence

The Bush Dog of Heywood

It looks for all the world like a bush dog. The bush dog is a canine found in Central and South America. In spite of its extensive range, it is very rare in most areas except in Suriname, Guyana and Peru I doubt anyone has one of those as they are near threatened and no good as pets but until someone gets a better photo it looks like a bush dog

 https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/what-that-people-mystified-small-24666372?fs=e&s=cl&fbclid=IwAR1h37kmaqVcjjnwBPd5RLNV8NijcRH8E0IS-auWSnTMjbi5zI6B1DnYd5s

A fox? A bear? A 'furry pig thing'? A 'half-pig half-fox'? A bush dog?

The people of Heywood have been left mystified over an animal that a local resident claimed to have spotted in Queen's Park. Local resident John told the MEN he spotted it yesterday morning while out on his daily walk.

He posted a photo of the small, furry animal into the Heywood Town Facebook group and asked 'anyone know what this is?'. It caused quite a stir... with hundreds commenting on the post with their suggestions.

Danielle said: "Looks like a bear." Denise wrote: "It's a fox".

Laura offered an unusual suggestion. "It looks half pig half fox", she said.

"It's a racoon dog", Stacey commented. Josh asked: "Is it a mink maybe?".

Most people identified the animal as a bush dog, which are canines native to Central and South America. They live in forests and wet savannahs and it would be extremely rare to see one in the UK.

Chris wrote: "It's a bush dog". Emily said: "Ring RSPCA, it's a bush dog".

Jennifer O'Neill said: "Omg it's a bush dog they are awesome they have them at Yorkshire wildlife park. They don't live in the wild here though should let RSPCA know."

But a few people questioned whether the animal was actually spotted in Heywood at all. Adam wrote: "Gullible people". Maxine asked: "Wind up?".

Whether the animal was spotted in Heywood or not, it definitely got people talking. The mystery continues...

below a bush dog