The Ruling on Killing Free-Roaming Livestock That Cause Car Accidents

The question: The listener (A. S.) from the land of Ghamid asks about killing free-roaming livestock that cause many car accidents?
The answer: This requires a detailed explanation: As for if they are on the roads, it is obligatory to remove them and keep them away from the roads by any means. If they are destroyed unintentionally by a car or otherwise, they are not guaranteed (the owner is not liable) due to the negligence of their owners. The state has warned about this and clarified that what is on the roads is considered a loss (waived). The state has sought scholarly opinions on this, and I have issued a ruling on it; because the harm is great to car owners and to Muslims.
Therefore, it is obligatory for livestock owners to protect their animals and keep them away from the roads, and to place them in distant locations so that they do not harm people. How many souls have perished because of these animals! There are overturns, there are collisions, and there is great evil.
As for a person intentionally killing them so that they are not on the roads, this is not permissible. One must not intentionally kill them, nor shoot them with a rifle, nor slaughter them with a sword or otherwise. Rather, one should drive them away, and that is sufficient. One should drive them away from the roads until they are far from the roads. If the state appoints someone to do this, that is good. And if a person is known to be negligent and leaves his animals around the road, he deserves to be punished as well, so that he keeps them away from the road; lest he annoy people and harm people with his bad action. We ask Allah for guidance for everyone.