Make Hit-and-Run Incidents Involving Cats a Criminal Offence

The Issue

On a day that will forever haunt me, our beloved cat, was hit by a car while she was innocently exploring our neighbourhood, the driver didn't even have the decency to stop, check her condition, or show any remorse. This heartless act left us devastated and filled with rage and sadness, knowing that so many other cat guardians face the same cruel reality.

Currently, in the UK, the law requires drivers to report collisions with dogs, horses, cattle, pigs, goats, or sheep to the police. However, no such consideration or legal obligation exists for cats, leaving countless feline lives vulnerable on our roads. This lack of legal protection results in emotional distress for cat owners and provides no legal avenue for justice when our feline companions are harmed.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), thousands of cats are hit by vehicles every year in the UK, with many of these incidents going unreported. This is not just a failure to protect our pets; it is a failure to recognize the deep bond and responsibility shared between humans and their feline companions.

We need to urgently close this gap in our legal system by amending the Road Traffic Act 1988 to include cats. By doing so, we can ensure that drivers are held accountable when they hit and kill a cat, and are legally obligated to report such incidents. This change would not only demand accountability but would also encourage drivers to be more vigilant on the roads and consider the lives of all animals.

We are calling on Members of Parliament to take immediate action to push for this essential amendment to the law. If we can just take this step, we can make a significant difference in reducing the number of accidents and ensuring justice for all cat owners who have to experience this unwarranted heartbreak.

Please sign this petition to demand justice for our beloved cats and help prevent future heartache. Together, we can create a society where every animal life is valued and protected.

avatar of the starter
Lu AdjarPetition StarterMummy of a beautiful British Shorthair fur baby called Narla who was sadly hit and killed by a car who didn’t stop. ��

2,102

The Issue

On a day that will forever haunt me, our beloved cat, was hit by a car while she was innocently exploring our neighbourhood, the driver didn't even have the decency to stop, check her condition, or show any remorse. This heartless act left us devastated and filled with rage and sadness, knowing that so many other cat guardians face the same cruel reality.

Currently, in the UK, the law requires drivers to report collisions with dogs, horses, cattle, pigs, goats, or sheep to the police. However, no such consideration or legal obligation exists for cats, leaving countless feline lives vulnerable on our roads. This lack of legal protection results in emotional distress for cat owners and provides no legal avenue for justice when our feline companions are harmed.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), thousands of cats are hit by vehicles every year in the UK, with many of these incidents going unreported. This is not just a failure to protect our pets; it is a failure to recognize the deep bond and responsibility shared between humans and their feline companions.

We need to urgently close this gap in our legal system by amending the Road Traffic Act 1988 to include cats. By doing so, we can ensure that drivers are held accountable when they hit and kill a cat, and are legally obligated to report such incidents. This change would not only demand accountability but would also encourage drivers to be more vigilant on the roads and consider the lives of all animals.

We are calling on Members of Parliament to take immediate action to push for this essential amendment to the law. If we can just take this step, we can make a significant difference in reducing the number of accidents and ensuring justice for all cat owners who have to experience this unwarranted heartbreak.

Please sign this petition to demand justice for our beloved cats and help prevent future heartache. Together, we can create a society where every animal life is valued and protected.

avatar of the starter
Lu AdjarPetition StarterMummy of a beautiful British Shorthair fur baby called Narla who was sadly hit and killed by a car who didn’t stop. ��

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Petition created on 23 November 2025