We, the undersigned, urge the Government to amend Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to require drivers to stop and report accidents involving cats, aligning their legal protection with that afforded to dogs and other animals. The current law, which mandates reporting for collisions involving certain animals but excludes cats, is outdated and fails to reflect the status of cats as cherished members of millions of UK households.  

Recent data indicates that approximately 230,000 cats are hit by vehicles annually in the UK, equating to 630 incidents every single day. Many of these accidents leave injured cats suffering on the roadside, often leading to unnecessary deaths that could be prevented with prompt medical attention. By legally requiring drivers to stop and report such accidents, more cats could receive the urgent veterinary care needed to survive their injuries.  

The emotional impact of these incidents on pet owners cannot be overstated. A survey conducted by the Petitions Committee found that 72% of respondents experienced significant negative effects on their mental health after losing a cat in a road traffic accident. For many, the greatest distress comes from not knowing what has happened to their pet. Without legal obligations to report cat-related collisions, countless owners are left searching for answers, never knowing whether their pet was killed instantly, suffered in pain, or was taken in by a concerned passerby. Mandating the reporting of such incidents would provide grieving owners with closure and the opportunity to give their beloved pets a dignified farewell.  

Furthermore, there is overwhelming public support for legal reform. A 2018 study found that nearly 60% of those surveyed supported amending the law to include cats in mandatory reporting requirements. Parliament has debated this issue multiple times, and yet no legislative changes have been made to rectify this injustice. The UK prides itself on being a nation of animal lovers, and our laws should reflect this compassion by ensuring all domestic pets receive equal consideration under the law.  

Updating the Road Traffic Act 1988 to include cats in mandatory reporting requirements would not only protect animals but also encourage more responsible driving behavior. When drivers know they are legally obliged to stop and report an accident involving a cat, they are more likely to be cautious in areas where cats are at high risk, such as residential streets. By implementing this change, the Government would be taking a simple yet effective step toward improving animal welfare, supporting pet owners, and promoting responsible road use.  

For these reasons, we call upon Parliament to amend the Road Traffic Act 1988 and extend the same legal protections to cats as currently exist for dogs. This long-overdue change would reflect modern societal values and ensure that the unnecessary suffering of both animals and their owners is reduced.