The Department for Transport (DfT) has issued a formal response following a petition accumulating more than 60,000 signatures on the Parliamentary website, calling for a new law that requires drivers to stop and report collisions involving cats.
The petition highlights a significant legal gap, stating: “It is currently legal in the UK to hit a cat while driving without the need to stop or report the incident, leaving cats frightened, injured, and unattended. Cats are cherished family members to many, and the law should reflect this by holding drivers accountable for any harm caused to them on the road.”
The petition urges the Government to legislate a requirement for drivers to stop, check on, and report all collisions involving cats. It emphasizes drivers should be responsible for seeking help if a cat is injured and advocates for penalties when drivers fail to fulfill these duties.
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While the petition has not yet reached the 100,000 signatures needed to trigger a parliamentary debate, the DfT has made clear its current stance: there are no immediate plans to mandate reporting of cat collisions. However, the recently published Road Safety Strategy outlines broader ambitions to improve safety for all road users, including animals.
Launched on 7 January 2026, the Road Safety Strategy aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on British roads by 65% by 2035. It will focus on safer road designs, protecting vulnerable groups, reviewing motoring offenses, and setting up a new Road Safety Board chaired by the Minister for Local Transport.
The DfT acknowledges that road safety is a collective responsibility involving government, local authorities, emergency services, industry, and communities. Through investment in infrastructure, education, and enforcement, the Strategy seeks to prevent collisions and improve outcomes not just for humans but also for animals on roads.
Currently, under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, drivers must stop and report accidents involving certain specified animals—such as horses, cattle, and dogs—but not cats or wild animals. These laws focus primarily on working animals rather than pets. Changing this to include cats would require new primary legislation.
The DfT also points out the practical challenges: cats’ small size and tendency to be active at dawn or dusk mean many drivers may never realize they have collided with one. This complicates enforcement and prosecution efforts even if the law were changed.
In a related development, the government introduced compulsory microchipping for cats in June 2024. All cats over 20 weeks old in England must now be microchipped and registered to facilitate reunion with their owners if lost or stray. This initiative seeks to enhance pet welfare and ensure injured cats are more easily identified.
To further improve outcomes after road collisions, Defra is conducting research into obstacles preventing some cats from being reunited with their owners. The findings, expected later this year, will help inform best practices for local authorities. Additionally, Defra plans to enhance digital access to microchip databases, making it easier for vets and other professionals to retrieve accurate information.
While no new reporting laws are currently planned, the government continues to prioritize animal welfare alongside road safety improvements, reflecting the compassionate values held by many in the UK.