Petition to change law for cats

[wolf63]

It is 2am so I am unable to write a coherent chunk of text.

The following link explains what changes are needed to make motorists obligated to report hitting a cat on the road.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...ucestershire-15457756

If this is something that you think is a good idea this petition is up and running

https://submissions.e...ov.uk/petitions/19369

I know that some local authorities scan dead cats to see if there is a microchip which will indicate the name and address of the cat and its staff - but many don't. Maybe that is something else that could be considered.

[slinkycat]

Wolf I'm so glad to hear of this, could never understand why motorists are not required to report hitting a cat, or at least as your link suggests, move it out of the road.
I've lost two cats this way, one was found by a neighbour not long after it happened, and the other made it back into our yard before she died:-(
My brother wasn't so "lucky" with his cat, as he put it "It wasn't worth scraping up what was left" and that was on a rural road.
Will be signing that petition.

[wolf63]

My brother moved a dead cat from the middle of the road to the pavement on his way to work once. It is possible that whoever hit it didn't realise that they had done so - but some people don't seem to have sympathy for cats or their owners/servants.

It is a worthwhile petition - the animal lovers are not asking for much. I don't suppose that the police will be overwhelmed by reports of dead cats.

[wildwood]

If the cats' owner can be traced, does that motorist then have a legal avenue to recover the cost of car repairs?

[wolf63]

wildwood - it might open up more problems than it solves. I don't drive so I don't know what the law is regarding hitting dogs on the roads.

Like most things in life it is much more complicated than initially thought.

Before we know it we will have gardeners going to court over damages caused by cats in their gardens.

:-)

[bigglez]

cats run in front of cars

[rowanwitch]

So do children

[andrew1707]

Great idea, Wolfie, those bl***dy cats are always digging my veg up. My veg plot is not a loo!!!
At least your two little darlings would never do that. Then again they are not going to run in front of any cars either unless you have given them a house key.
A

[Old_Geezer]

A law needs to be enforceable. Does anyone really think many are going to willingly increase the hassle to themselves when someone's cat has already messed up their day by opting for suicide under their wheels ? Might be a different matter if it were on a lead at the time.

[wolf63]

old G - the problem with cats is that they are only one step above vermin in the eyes of the law.

Andrew - http://i151.photobuck...endar/catpic10003.jpg

[rowanwitch]

I think those who make the rules need to understand the role of the cat in society has changed.... There are more pet cats than dogs now... and their role is far more that of companion animal than previously when they needed to be good mousers to protect the families food stocks... The days of the large feral colonies are receeding due to the work of the animal charities and the popularity of rare/exotic breeds and the financil implications of this are also important. With increasing numbers of single people a cat is sometimes the only warm live contact in their lives and the loss of that animal can be totally devastating. To add to the loss a sense that the creatures death was no more significant than squashing a bug on the road is a poor reflection on our attitude to those animals in our care... we have made pets of wild creatures... making them live in areas where man made dangers are pretty much their only threat we should I believe take on resposibility for the whole of their span...

[ummmm]

I agree with Rowan....

I adore my cat. He's very funny as well....

[rowanwitch]

get an older rescue cat Doc...be a care home for old kitties...

[Old_Geezer]

So should one report running over a pet rabbit, or a pet mouse ? If the pet is out no longer under the owner's control/care then I'm unconvinced. Any duty of care is the owner's responsibility.

[rowanwitch]

It is not the norm for a pet rabbit, mouse, guineapig etc to be out on its own... it is still seen as the norm for cats...

[wolf63]

It is amazing how much personality and attitude (and contempt for humans) can be packed into such a small body.

[rowanwitch]

No longer amazes me...I've been a slave since childhood...they have me conditioned now.... this is the first time in my life I haven't been owned by a cat...miss it terribly

[ummmm]

I know...lol. My cat doesn't really like anyone but me and OH. My cousin stayed here when we went away. She was here 3 days before the cat let her stroke him. She's not a stranger either....she's here 3 or 4 times a week.

[flip_flop]

Well personally, I think cats are about as close to vermin as its possible to get without actually being vermin - and I am sick to the hind teeth of the local cats using my drive as a toilet.

Even in the (highly unlikely) event that it was made law to report the hitting of a cat to the police, I wouldn't bother because I couldn't care any less if I tried.