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Law Seeks to Protect Cats Hit by Cars
6 Jul
Summary
- Campaigners want drivers to report cats hit by cars.
- Current law requires reporting dogs and livestock, not cats.
- The Road Traffic Act of 1988 lacks feline protection.
For over nine years, a dedicated campaign has fought for drivers to be legally obligated to report collisions with cats. This movement was ignited by Mandy Hobbis, who experienced profound distress when her cat, Snowy, was fatally struck by a vehicle, left untreated, and discarded at a landfill. The incident underscored a significant legal loophole: the UK's Road Traffic Act of 1988 requires drivers to report accidents involving dogs and livestock, but not cats.
Despite cats being the second most popular household pet in the UK, this disparity in legal protection leaves many felines vulnerable. Charities such as the RSPCA and PDSA frequently encounter the sad aftermath of such incidents. The campaign, co-founded by Hobbis, advocates for amending the law to ensure cats receive the same care and respect in road traffic incidents as other animals.
