Graubünden: Motorist takes road-killed roe deer home

In the night of 12 December 2017, a motorist in Brienz collided with a roe deer. He took the killed deer with him and drove home without reporting the incident.

A 47-year-old Portuguese motorist was travelling at 2 a.m. on Tuesday along the Brienzerstrasse from Lenz in the direction of Brienz. At the location known as Tranter igls Ers, he collided with a roe deer. The man loaded the animal, which had been killed in the collision, into his vehicle and left the scene of the accident without notifying the police or the game warden.

During the course of the day, a police patrol discovered collision marks and traces of blood at the accident site. Working together with the game warden, the offending driver was identified. He had intended to use the animal for his own consumption. The man, who is resident in Graubünden, has confessed and will be referred to the Graubünden public prosecutor's office.

Wildlife belongs to the canton

The man, who is resident in Graubünden, has confessed according to police and will be referred to the Graubünden public prosecutor's office. The Portuguese man has lived in Switzerland for a long time and is familiar with local laws, says police spokesperson Markus Walser. «Wildlife belongs to the canton. Wildlife accidents must therefore be reported either to the police or to the game warden,» said Walser.

What to do in the event of a wildlife collision?

A wild animal, such as a fox or a deer that has been hit by a vehicle, must never be left unattended at the roadside. In the vast majority of cases, wild animals are so severely injured that they either die from their injuries or must be euthanized. There is a legal obligation to contact the police at the scene before leaving in the event of wildlife damage. But even a person who did not cause the accident themselves should not look away — they should act: take road signs warning of wildlife crossings seriously, drive with particular care on rural roads and in forested areas, reduce speed, and keep an eye on the edges of forests and fields. If a wild animal is spotted at the roadside, brake immediately, switch to low beams, and sound the horn. Secure the accident site and call the police (Tel. 117).