A petition calling for a new law requiring drivers to report accidents involving cats has gained over 66,000 signatures, with just 12 days remaining before it closes. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for a parliamentary debate.
The petition argues that it is currently legal in the UK to hit a cat while driving and not stop or report the collision, leaving the animals scared, alone, and in pain. It calls for drivers to be legally required to stop, check, and report any road collisions with cats, and to be held accountable if they fail to do so.
Under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, motorists must stop and report accidents involving horses, cattle, ass, mules, sheep, pigs, goats, or dogs, but not cats. The distinction was originally made to protect working animals. The Department for Transport has stated that there are no current plans to extend the law to cats, citing difficulties in prosecuting drivers who may not be aware they have hit a cat, especially with larger vehicles.
Recent figures from PetPlan show that around 230,000 cats are struck by vehicles annually in the UK, with 35% of motorists admitting to having hit a cat. With approximately 12.2 million cats in British households, the issue has resonated with many pet owners. A 2018 study found that nearly 60% of respondents believed the law should be amended to include cats.
