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In a heartbreaking incident, Kellie Watson from Killingworth, North Tyneside, shared the devastating story of her 11-month-old kitten, Martha, who was tragically run over multiple times by cars until a kind stranger took her to the vet. Despite her efforts, Kellie was unable to bid farewell to Martha, as advised by the vet due to the severity of the feline’s head injuries. The incident prompted Kellie to launch a petition, supported by the North East charity Pawz for Thought, urging for a change in the law to mandate drivers to report collisions involving cats.
With over 40,000 signatures backing her cause, Kellie’s petition has garnered significant support. However, the Government’s response indicated that there were no immediate plans to amend the existing law beyond the Highway Code’s recommendation to report accidents involving animals. Kellie expressed the deep bond she shared with Martha, recounting how the kitten would eagerly await her return from work at the door. Martha’s absence one day served as a tragic indicator that something had gone terribly wrong.
Following Martha’s untimely demise, Kellie’s older cat, aged 18, exhibited signs of distress and grief over the loss of her companion. Expressing her bewilderment at drivers who hit cats and abandon them on the road, Kellie questioned the discrepancy in treatment compared to other animals like dogs. She emphasized the need to afford felines the same legal protection afforded to other animals in cases of accidents. Pawz for Thought, based in Sunderland, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the urgency of implementing a rule change to provide closure and answers to distraught owners searching for their missing cats.
As of June 2024, all cats in England over 20 weeks old must be microchipped and registered on a compliant database to facilitate swift reunions with their owners. The Department of Transport underscored the significance of cat microchipping regulations in enhancing the likelihood of cats being reunited with their caregivers, thereby aligning with efforts to safeguard and prioritize the well-being of feline companions
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