Hitting an animal with your vehicle is stressful and confusing. A lot of people do not know what Maine law requires them to do afterward. The answer depends on the type of animal and whether you can locate the owner. This post covers what the statute actually says and what steps you need to take.
The governing statute is Title 29-A, § 2255, which covers accidents involving property damage. Under Maine law, dogs, cats, and livestock are classified as property. That framing may feel uncomfortable, but it is the legal reality, and it is what creates the reporting obligation.
What Maine Law Requires
If you hit a dog, cat, or livestock with your vehicle, you are required to take reasonable steps to notify the owner of the animal. This is not optional. Failing to do so is a Class E crime under Maine law.
If you are able to locate the owner, you must provide them with your name and address, your vehicle registration number, an opportunity to examine your driver’s license if they ask for it, and evidence of liability insurance if they ask for it.
If you cannot locate the owner and no formal accident report is required under the crash reporting threshold in Title 29-A, § 2251, you are still required to take reasonable steps to immediately report the injury or death to a law enforcement officer or to the animal control officer for the municipality or region where the accident occurred.
That means if you hit a dog on a rural road in Buckfield, for example, and cannot find the owner, you need to contact dispatch. You can reach Oxford County Dispatch at 207-743-9554, option 0, and they will connect you with the right person.
What Counts as Livestock
Maine law defines livestock broadly. It includes cattle, horses, mules, goats, sheep, swine, and domesticated fowl, among others. If you hit a cow that has gotten loose on a road in western Maine, the same reporting rules apply. This is not uncommon in rural areas, and the obligation to notify the owner or law enforcement is the same as it would be for a dog or cat.
What About Wildlife
Wildlife is handled under a completely different statute. If you hit a deer, moose, bear, or wild turkey, that falls under Title 12, § 12403 and involves Maine Warden Service, not an ACO. I do not handle wildlife cases. If you hit a wild animal, contact the Maine Warden Service or Maine State Police.
What Happens After You Report It
Once you report the incident to dispatch or law enforcement, the process varies depending on the situation. If the animal is injured and the owner cannot be reached quickly, the ACO may respond to assess the animal’s condition and coordinate with a shelter or veterinarian. If the animal is deceased, the ACO or the owner typically handles removal.
Your responsibility as the driver is to report it. You are not required to transport the animal or provide veterinary care. What you cannot do is leave the scene without making any attempt to notify the owner or authorities.
Why This Matters
Animal owners in western Maine, especially livestock owners, rely on people reporting these incidents quickly. A cow or horse hit on the road can block traffic, create a hazard for other drivers, and suffer needlessly if no one calls it in. The same is true for a dog or cat whose owner has no idea what happened to them.
Calling it in is the right thing to do and it is also the law. A failure to comply with § 2255 is a Class E crime, which in Maine carries a potential fine and up to six months in jail, though penalties at that level are rare for these situations. The insurance-related provision is a traffic infraction rather than a crime.
Quick Reference
- Hit a dog, cat, or livestock: notify the owner if possible
- Cannot find the owner: call dispatch or law enforcement immediately
- Oxford County Dispatch: 207-743-9554, option 0
- Hit wildlife (deer, moose, bear): contact Maine Warden Service, not ACO
- Failing to report: Class E crime under Title 29-A, § 2255
For more information on animal laws in western Maine, visit the Animal Control FAQ or the Pet Resources for Western Maine Residents page.
