Petition regarding reporting road accidents involving cats

[BustersOfDoom]

I saw this on the BBC news website tonight and have signed up. I thought my fellow MN moggie lovers might also be interested. It has never seemed right to me that someone can run over a cat and just do nothing.

Petition to make it a legal requirement to report road accidents involving cats

[Fluffycloudland77]

Yes I'll sign it, I think its wrong much loved and cherished pets can be run over with no requirement to exercise any duty of care to the results.

I got told off by my driving instructor for slowing down for a squirrell! I am also really good at spotting mice running over the road too.

[ripstheirthroatoutliveupstairs]

I've done it despite the frustration with the bloody anti spam words at the bottom.
I had a kitten run over about 18 years ago. I still remember arguing with the Police about whether it should have been brought to my attention (pre chip days so rita had a collar) or if it was right that I had to phone the refuse dept.

[BustersOfDoom]

Thanks both. We were once in the horrible situation of running over a cat that just ran out in front of the car. Fortunately (if that is the right word) it was killed outright and didn't suffer but we had no idea of what to do other than to take the poor thing to the nearest vets and ring the RSPCA shelter incase anyone was looking for it. I still think about it 15 years on and feel so guilty even though I wasn't driving and there was nothing we could've done to avoid the poor puss. I had awful thoughts for weeks afterwards about sad children and adults pining for their beloved pet, because I know exactly how I would feel if it were one of mine.

[ColdSancerre]

Also signed.

[BustersOfDoom]

Sorry ripstheirthroatout I also meant to add how awful for poor Rita. Being sent to the refuse department is just so very wrong. Surely it would just be common courtesy to call the contact details on the collar rather than just do nothing?

[SwedishHousewifeMafia]

I've lurked on MN so such a long time but this thread has spurred me to post. I totally agree with this petition, more so after the experience I had this morning.

I was out for a run and stopped to help a lady that was kneeling by a beautiful little tabby lying in the road. It was still warm so had not long been knocked over. I called my DH to bring a box and we took it to the nearest vets. I hope to god it was chipped and they find the owner. I was in floods of tears and it wasn't even mine. I'm sure the lovely lady who also stopped would have taken poor kitty away but I couldn't live with myself if I walked by. I don't know how people can.

[ColdSancerre]

Yes, I turned into my close one day and there was a cat on the verge by the main road. I got a box and one of the cats blankets and picked it up and called the vets. I just couldn't bear the thought of it lying there. I took it to the nearest vets who were going to scan for a chip and circulate a description to all the other local vets and rescues and I was sobbing.

A few years later my own cat was run vet and killed instantly, thankfully the people in the next car along stopped and knocked on the nearest door and so I was able to get her. She was still perfect and warm, unmarked, I'm so grateful for the people who stopped. I would have hated for her to be damaged further.

[BustersOfDoom]

Such sad tales but it is good to know that there are compassionate people out there like the MN's here, and others, who will go out of their way to show kindness when something horrible happens to someone's much loved moggie. Nest of vipers my arse, to quote a much used phrase.

[cyberfairy]

Thanks for the link-was searching for it earlier.
I do not see why a cat is worth less than a dog-my cat was everything to me.