Causing harm to a living being, whether a person or an animal, inevitably leads to consequences under the law. In the case of animals, many drivers manage to continue without reporting the incident, but that does not erase the crime. The driver who leaves the scene of an accident is breaking the law, and reporting the event is a legal duty in such situations.
According to legal commentary cited by NGS, a collision with any animal is considered a traffic accident. When a driver hits an animal, they must document the incident in line with traffic rules; failing to do so can bring administrative liability under Part 2 of Article 12.27 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. Leaving the scene while still a participant in the incident is an offense, and the driver may face disqualification for one to one and a half years or administrative detention for up to fifteen days.
There is value in contacting the traffic police and filing an accident report. If a wild animal is struck, the driver may face a fine for damaging nature, which insurance may cover if there is OSAGO. If the animal is a domesticated pet, a process exists that can result in the pet owner being found responsible for the accident. The penalties for collisions with wild animals are outlined below, reflecting standard enforcement practice and potential administrative penalties.
| Animal | Fine, rub. |
| Wart | 100 |
| Wolf | 200 |
| Chipmunk | 500 |
| Pigeon | 600 |
| Hare | 1000 |
| Beaver | 6000 |
| Das | 12 000 |
| Boar | 30,000 |
| Lynx | 40 000 |
| Bear | 60 000 |
| Elk | 80 000 |