PLEASE SHARE At around 6.30 on 30th October I was informed by a neighbour that my cat, Leia had been run over by a passing car. Leia was left in the road and had been killed instantly. Leia was the second cat to be killed in this way, my neighbour lost her cat two weeks ago, again just left on the roadside as the drivers did not stop. Overall there has been 3 cat fatalities in the same location over the last few months indicating that this part of braunstone could be a black spot for such accidents happening.

I realise that the Law states that drivers are not required to notify the owner when cats are involved in road traffic accidents but I understand that following discussions in parliament last year that it is local governments responsibility to ensure roads are safe, in order to where possible to avoid such accidents happening. I do feel that there are a number of factors relating to the road that contributed to these accidents occurring and the loss of 3 cats lives ( that I am aware of): 

-       Cars do travel as speed along the road, especially at night

-       The location where the cat fatalities happened is on a slight bend and the road does raise slightly

-       In this location there are always a number of cars and vans parked on the roadside, sometimes this restricts visibility of the road ahead especially on the bend where the cat fatalities happened

-       There are also a number of overgrown trees that can obscure vision of the road ahead

I realise that cats do wonder, as is their right and do not have any road sense but I do feel the points listed above all played a part in these accidents happening, plus it was also dark yesterday. I want someone to take responsibility for what they did to Leia but I realise this will not happen whilst the current law doesn’t protect Cats, so wherever possible I would like to stop another accident like this happening.

I am a responsible cat owner, Leia was only a year old but she was microchipped and most of all she was a loved baby girl . Today we are coming to terms with our loss, which has been an awful shock and has left everyone stunned and heartbroken. I’d like change from the braunstone council or local council introducing speed bumps,slow signs, speeding cameras. This isn’t going to stop at animals it’s going to be a pedestrian unless something changes if you could sign this petition I’d be greatful and it will be contributed towards change and making it safer for our animals.