Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Monday 23rd January 2017

Network Rail uses specialist contractors to remove animal fatalities found on or by the rail tracks.These contractors scan for domestic pet microchips and notify the owners where details are available

The process by which Network Rail manages domestic animal fatalities is outlined for its employees and contractors in its internal operations procedure which is adhered to by all of the railway company’s routes.

Specialist contractors, who vary dependent on route and geographical location, are alerted to incidents of animal fatalities by Network Rail’s operators or maintenance teams via the respective route’s control. These contractors are required under operating procedures to remove and scan for microchips any domestic pet fatalities found on Network Rail’s infrastructure.

Provided that the animal’s body is in a suitable state to be scanned and that details are available on the national database of microchipped domestic pets, owners will be contacted and given the option to collect the deceased pet’s body if they wish.

Network Rail’s operation process states that contractors must allow owners one hour for a response before they take actions to dispose of the animal, however, in practice contractors do extend this window significantly due to sensitivity and practicality, often allowing owners a few days for collection.

Incidents of domestic animal fatalities are not formally recorded by Network Rail’s contractors. Nevertheless, a recent review by Network Rail of the information held by these contractors estimates that microchips have been found on deceased animals on 15 of 70 occasions where specialist contractors have responded to animal fatalities over the course of their contract respective periods.

Finally, with specific regard to the tragic loss of Rory who was lost on the 3rd December 2016, Network Rail regret that on this occasion proper procedure was not followed through the notification of control, and so the specialist contractor team was not alerted. Network Rail has extended its sincere apologies, and is determined to further improve awareness around the reporting procedures for animal fatalities on the company’s infrastructure.

Department for Transport