Labour under pressure to launch new driving laws for animals as landmark petition demands action

Campaigners have warned that the current laws remain outdated and leave injured cats suffering alone on roads while owners are left without answers.

Under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, drivers must report collisions involving animals including dogs, horses, cattle, sheep and goats, but cats are not included.

The petition states: "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."

CatsMatter has now called for the law to change, so drivers must stop, check on and report injured cats when it is safe to do so.

The campaign group said the UK has fallen behind countries including Italy and Hong Kong, where drivers are required to stop and assist animals after road collisions.

Supporters argued the law no longer reflects modern attitudes towards pets and animal welfare, and has received backing from MPs, including Labour MP Cat Eccles.

The MP for Stourbridge said: "It makes no sense whatsoever that the law does not currently cover cats and other animals involved in road traffic collisions.

"I will continue to work with CatsMatter to press the Government to make this much-needed change to the law to protect pets and their owners facing this distressing circumstance."

However, the Department for Transport rejected calls for an immediate law change, saying it had "no current plans" to require drivers to report collisions with cats.

The Government said its new Road Safety Strategy, published in January, aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads by 65 per cent by 2035.

In its response, the DfT acknowledged that drivers currently have no legal duty to report collisions involving cats.

It said: "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.

"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."

The Department added that due to the sizing problem, "it would be difficult to prosecute drivers if the law were changed".

Campaigners have disputed the raised concerns, arguing that thousands of families are affected every year, with suggestions that around 230,000 cats are hit by vehicles annually in the UK.

CatsMatter spokesperson Mandy Hobbis said: "Every day, families lose beloved pets on our roads with no legal requirement for drivers to stop, let alone give assistance. No animal should be left to suffer alone, and no family should be left without answers."

The petition remains open until June 17, with campaigners hoping to secure enough signatures to trigger a parliamentary debate.