By law a driver is required to stop and report an accident involving specified animals including horses, cattle, asses, mules, sheep, pigs, goats or dogs, but not cats. 

In families with children, at least 77% have a pet based on the PFMA survey. 8.2 million of the households owning a cat and 10 million owning a dog. It's estimated that 80,000 dogs and 200,000 cats are killed on our roads every year. Pets near roads can be dangerous but there are lots of things we can do to protect our pets from harm. 

So with the majority of domestic animals killed on our roads being cats why is it there are no laws in place to influence people to stop and report accidents involving the injury of a cat? A much loved household pet and in my own experience, a member of the family?

Until today 15/06/2023 I was unaware of this callous exclusion of these intelligent creatures from such a basic law which would not only give cats involved in accidents that survive the initial impact a higher life expectancy but would also rectify what I and many others deem an absurd oversight in UK road law. 

This here is a quote from the decision made by the government from the last time this issue was petitioned:

"To introduce such a measure within the provision of section 170 would require primary legislation.

Having a law making it a requirement to report road accidents involving cats would be very difficult to enforce and we have reservations about the difference it would make to the behaviour of drivers, who are aware that they have run over a cat and do not report it."

In my opinion it seems our government are too lazy and unconcerned to lift their fingers and make a change. This is apparent with their final paragraph.

For those of you who have felt this injustice or wish not to feel this injustice if this unfortunate circumstance happens to you, please sign this petition!