Stourbridge MP Cat calls for tighter protection for cats in road accidents

Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles joined activists from the Cats Matter campaign group in calling for cats to receive the same legal protections as dogs when involved in road traffic accidents.

They handed in a petition signed by 64 animal protection groups or charities to Downing Street. A further online petition has been signed by 2,548 members of the public.

Under current UK law, drivers are required to report if they hit a dog with their vehicle, but there is no legal requirement to report incidents involving cats. 

The petitions call for an amendment to the Road Traffic Act 1988 so that cats receive the same consideration, ensuring families can be informed if their pet has been injured or killed on the road.

Miss Eccles, a proud cat lover, is chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on cats and made it clear at the start of her election that she would be a strong advocate for animal welfare.

“It is simply wrong that families are left in the dark if their cat is hit by a car," she said.

"This is about compassion, accountability, and bringing our laws in line with the love people have for their pets. 

"I would be heartbroken if anything happened to any of my cats. I was proud to stand alongside campaigners at No. 10 to call for this small but meaningful change that will make a big difference to cat owners across the country.”

Miss Eccles said too many cats were left to suffer needlessly because drivers were not required to stop or report incidents.

"We hope the Prime Minister will listen to the thousands of voices backing this campaign.”

Mandy Hobbis of Cats Matter said: "We believe cats deserve to be helped should they sadly fall victim to the road. 

"With dogs, drivers must stop and report incidents when they have hit a dog. With cats, it's perfectly legal to drive on leaving them scared, alone, in pain, or worse, roadside."

She said there were an estimated 12.5 million cats in the UK, many of which were considered to be family members.

"It is not unreasonable for those people to expect all is done to help their beloved companion should the worst sadly happen, and it's not unreasonable to demand an end to the suffering cats are subjected to when they are left for hours, sometimes days, in crippling pain because no one cared enough to simply stop the car and help," she added.