New law October key deadline for all cat owners in UK

New law October key deadline for all cat owners in UK A law which is in force in the UK applies to horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or dogs - but not cats Proposals to change the law for all cats in the UK have reached a major point - with a key debate to take place involving MPs. A massive petition demanding new legislation to require drivers to report collisions with cats hit almost 190,000 signatures on the Parliament Website after support surged when it was featured in the Mirror. And it has been announced that this will take place on Monday October 26, meaning the government will come under pressure to lay out its position and potentially explain possible changes. The organisers of the petition are calling for cat owners to get in touch with their MPs before to ask them to take part and strengthen the chances of change. The petition reads: “It is legal in the UK to hit a cat when driving and not need to stop or report collisions, leaving them scared, alone, and in pain. Cats are important, loved, valued family members for many, and we believe the law should reflect this. “We want the Government to legislate to require drivers to stop, check and report any road collisions with cats if they’re injured on the road, and hold drivers accountable if they fail to stop and report a collision involving a cat on the basis that they left a cat to unnecessarily suffer. We believe asking drivers to be made responsible for seeking help for an injured cat is a perfectly reasonable and simple ask.” Cats Matter said: “While the Government has stated that it currently has no plans to amend legislation, the public response tells a very different story. Cat owners, vets, rescues, and communities across the UK have made it clear that the status quo is not good enough and them keep throwing back the same old dated arguments simply doesn’t wash anymore. Families deserve to know when their cats have been harmed, and cats deserve the same basic recognition already afforded to dogs. “The upcoming debate is a pivotal moment. It represents not only the strength of public feeling, but also a growing expectation that the law should reflect modern attitudes toward companion animals. We anticipate strong cross‑party contributions, with MPs raising both the emotional and practical implications of the current gap in reporting requirements. “In these days leading up to the debate, we are encouraging supporters to contact their MPs and invite them to attend.” The organisers added: “What we can not accept and do not understand is the drivers that drive off and leave the cats scared, alone, in pain, or worse, roadside. Not stopping to help a cat, or any animal, is unforgivable in our view and we want the law to stand with us on that. We do not want drivers to have criminal records or pay our vet bills, we simply want drivers to help our cats should the worst happen. If they fail to do so, we want them to, by law, be accountable and face justice.“ Recent statistics from PetPlan reveal that approximately 230,000 cats are hit by cars each year, equating to 630 daily, with 35% of drivers admitting to having struck a cat. Britain is a nation of feline enthusiasts, with around 12.2 million cats residing in UK homes, making them the country’s second most beloved pet, trailing only dogs, with 27 per cent of households owning at least one cat. Under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, drivers are required to stop and report collisions involving horses, cattle, ass, mules, sheep, pigs, goats or dogs, but not cats. The differentiation was made to protect working animals. A 2018 survey by Carbuyer found almost 60 per cent of participants felt the legislation should be updated to include cats too. The petition received a response from the Department for Transport. It stated: “The Government has no current plans to require drivers to report collisions with cats. However, the Road Safety Strategy will improve road safety for all road users, including cats and other animals. “This is a compassionate country and although there is no obligation to report all animal deaths on roads, drivers should, if possible, make enquiries to ascertain the owner of domestic animals, such as cats, and advise them of the situation. “Under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, a driver is required to stop and report an accident involving specified animals including horses, cattle, ass, mules, sheep, pigs, goats or dogs, but not cats or wild animals. This requirement arises from their status as working animals rather than as domestic pets. To introduce such a measure within the provision of section 170, would require primary legislation. (Note that certain legislation still uses the word ‘accident’, although the preferred terms are collision or crash.)”. “Because cats are much smaller than other specified animals, and often most active at dawn or dusk, in many cases drivers may not be aware they’ve hit them - particularly with larger vehicles. Because of that, it would be difficult to prosecute drivers if the law was changed.” The full government response and petition can be accessed here. More information, including template emails for constituents, is available at: www.catsmatter.org/downloads