Drivers could be fined £1,000 if they accidentally hit a cat and fail to inform the police under a proposed new law. 

Experts from LeaseCar.uk are supporting a campaign for the law to be changed to give cats the same rights as many other animals when it comes to road traffic accidents. 

Currently, drivers must stop and inform police if they hit dogs, horses, cattle, pigs, goats and sheep - but not cats. 

Many cat owners are left wondering what’s happened to their beloved pets if they’ve been run over by a driver, as it’s not a legal requirement to go to the police or track down the owner. 

Norwich Evening News: Paul Bish supports the campaign to fine drivers who hit cats and do not stop or inform the PolicePaul Bish supports the campaign to fine drivers who hit cats and do not stop or inform the Police (Image: Paul Bish)

Recently one pet owner who lost her cat to a hit-and-run incident reached 100,000 signatures on a petition to change the law and was debated in parliament, but there are no current plans to make it an offence. 

In 2022, Paul Bish experienced this first hand when his family cat, Tommy, was killed in Jex Road, NR5.  

The road has a 20mph speed limit due to the children and animals in the area.  

Mr Bish said: “There is no way the car that hit him was travelling at 20mph. 

“What makes it worse is that the driver didn’t even try to help Tommy. 

"People watched as the driver stopped, reversed a little and then drove off again.” 

When he heard about the campaign, Mr Bish said: “I think it is a brilliant idea.” 

Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk said: “We’re calling for changes to be made to the law to make it a legal requirement for motorists to report to police if they’ve run over a cat. 
 
“Along with this change, we believe it’s right to introduce a fine of up to £1,000 for any motorists who don’t comply and simply leave a cat on the roadside without reporting the incident.”