Is it illegal to eat roadkill?

Question

I found a dead cat in the road and it does not have a collar.

Would it be ok to eat it or do I need to inform the police before I prepare it for dinner?

Answer 1

actually the only thing that is illegal to eat in the UK is human flesh AND swans. only the queen can eat a swan and its considered treason to kill and eat one.

protected species can be eaten if they were dead when you found them though. and you dont have to inform the police if you want to eat a cat- cats are considered vermin, not domestic pets (god knows why, when nearly every household has a feline friend?!?! weird rules)

eat if you want but consider this, without a collar it may mean it was a feral cat... so would you like your oven roasted kitty with a side order of disease? and would you like sickness and diarrhoea with that?

Answer 2

I imagine it depends on where you live.



Just to be safe, call your local police station and ask.



Also, how does it look apart from being dead, i.e. is its fur unkempt, is it skinny, etc?



This might suggest a wild cat and as such, you might want to think about asking a vet to check it out because you don't want it to pass anything onto you.



Having said that, how do you plan to serve it because if you intend to cook it, the germs might get killed off?

Answer 3

In the UK if you ran over the cat and then ate it this would be illegal as it comes under poaching laws. However, seeing as you didn't kill this cat, then it would not be against the poaching laws to eat it... it may be against unspoken etiquette laws though.

Answer 4

Yea - if you fancy ***** stew or cat curry! I knew someone whose husband used to go out chasing lambs in his car for Sunday lunch - that's illegal as if you're the one to hit it you can't take it home but the motorist behind you can.

Answer 5

The only thing that's illegal to eat in the UK is human flesh.

Answer 6

So long as your roadkill isn't human and you don't make a song and dance about it, I think you'll be fine.

Answer 7

Yes of course you should invite the police to dinner

Answer 8

Thats just gross...y would you want to eat roadkill? You might get sick...ewww!

Answer 9

if it was YOUR cat you could eat it.. otherwise not..



you need to report FINDING it so its owner can claim it and bury or cremate it if they want..



here is a way cool link about road kill and options for it

http://socyberty.com/advice/roadkill-an-option-for-disposal/

Answer 10

Of course it's not illegal, a local take-away restaurant has been serving stuff like this for years!



Except they called it 'chicken', yeah...sure.

Answer 11

Who the heck are you? Who seriously eats cats? That's beyond disgusting!

Answer 12

I dnt knw but it is eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!!!!!!

Answer 13

No it's just yucky!!

Answer 14

why would it be illigal, use your brain.