Change the law to mandate reporting cat accidents
Change the law to mandate reporting cat accidents
The Issue
In the UK, our beloved pets are more than just animals; they are cherished family members. Tragically, too many cat owners experience the devastating loss of their pets in road accidents, only to be left in the dark because there is no legal requirement for drivers to stop or report if they hit a cat. This lack of accountability deprives grieving pet owners of closure and allows negligent drivers to operate without consequence.
Unfortunately, I know this feeling too well as my beloved Lola, a rescue cat that I had adopted, was run over and killed by a courier, who was driving too fast, in the residential street I live in.
The current Road Traffic Act 1988 mandates that drivers must report accidents involving certain animals such as dogs, horses, and livestock, but cats are glaringly absent from this list. According to Cats Protection, over 230,000 cats are killed on British roads each year. This is not just a matter of respect and compassion for our feline friends but also a public safety issue as leaving an injured animal on the road can endanger other motorists and wildlife.
It is time for the law to evolve and reflect our society's values and commitments to animal welfare. By amending the Road Traffic Act to include cats, we can ensure that all drivers are held responsible for their actions. This change would mandate that drivers, like the courier who hit my cat, must report and stop if they have knocked over a cat.
We propose the inclusion of cats in the list of animals that drivers must stop, render assistance if possible, and report incidents to the authorities. Such a policy would encourage more cautious driving in residential areas and greatly reduce the number of hit-and-run incidents involving cats.
By signing this petition, we urge policymakers in the UK to prioritise the inclusion of cats in road traffic regulations. Let's protect our feline family members and ensure they receive the respect and dignity they deserve. Please sign and share this petition to drive change and prevent further heartbreak for cat owners across the nation.
1,294
The Issue
In the UK, our beloved pets are more than just animals; they are cherished family members. Tragically, too many cat owners experience the devastating loss of their pets in road accidents, only to be left in the dark because there is no legal requirement for drivers to stop or report if they hit a cat. This lack of accountability deprives grieving pet owners of closure and allows negligent drivers to operate without consequence.
Unfortunately, I know this feeling too well as my beloved Lola, a rescue cat that I had adopted, was run over and killed by a courier, who was driving too fast, in the residential street I live in.
The current Road Traffic Act 1988 mandates that drivers must report accidents involving certain animals such as dogs, horses, and livestock, but cats are glaringly absent from this list. According to Cats Protection, over 230,000 cats are killed on British roads each year. This is not just a matter of respect and compassion for our feline friends but also a public safety issue as leaving an injured animal on the road can endanger other motorists and wildlife.
It is time for the law to evolve and reflect our society's values and commitments to animal welfare. By amending the Road Traffic Act to include cats, we can ensure that all drivers are held responsible for their actions. This change would mandate that drivers, like the courier who hit my cat, must report and stop if they have knocked over a cat.
We propose the inclusion of cats in the list of animals that drivers must stop, render assistance if possible, and report incidents to the authorities. Such a policy would encourage more cautious driving in residential areas and greatly reduce the number of hit-and-run incidents involving cats.
By signing this petition, we urge policymakers in the UK to prioritise the inclusion of cats in road traffic regulations. Let's protect our feline family members and ensure they receive the respect and dignity they deserve. Please sign and share this petition to drive change and prevent further heartbreak for cat owners across the nation.
1,294
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Petition created on 22 December 2025