This article has been updated with new information.
The North Bay Police Service confirms one of its officers used their firearm to dispatch a critically wounded animal that had been struck by a vehicle in the area of Trout Lake Road and Mountainview Drive, Tuesday morning.
BayToday followed up with NBPS after a citizen witnessed the incident near the Trout Lake Road overpass. Although they reported hearing two shots, further investigation has determined only one shot was fired by the officer to dispatch the animal — in this instance, a rabbit that made its way off the roadway onto the grassy hill on the north side of the bridge after being struck.
NBPS officers receive in-depth training on how to humanely dispatch various critically wounded animals.
The rabbit's untimely end also presents an opportunity to brush up on what to do if you are involved in a motor vehicle collision with an animal and there is damage to your vehicle.
First, contact police to report the motor vehicle collision. If you believe the animal is wounded, in North Bay or Callander, report it to the NBPS. For highway-related incidents, the OPP has jurisdiction. If you hit a deer or a moose, you are required to report it to the MNRF.
See related: Police warning of wildlife dangers
If you do hit an animal and the vehicle sustains damage, you should take the following safety precautions:
- Pull off the road when it is safe to do so
- Turn on your hazard lights
- Don’t approach the animal — an injured animal can be unpredictable and dangerous
- Report the incident to local police
For more information, check out the Ministry of Transportation's tips for motorists in Ontario when it comes to animals on the road.
The NBPS adds although the number of reports of animal/vehicle collisions varies by season, overall, the service does not receive a large number of these types of calls in which an officer must use a firearm in relation to a wounded animal.