← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Road Traffic Collisions Involving Cats
09 January 2023
Lead MP
Tonia Antoniazzi
Gower
Lab
Responding Minister
Richard Holden
Tags
TransportAgriculture & Rural AffairsLocal Government
Word Count: 11457
Other Contributors: 13
At a Glance
Tonia Antoniazzi raised concerns about road traffic collisions involving cats in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks the Government to confirm a timetable for enacting compulsory cat microchipping legislation and to require local authorities to scan and log cat fatalities when they occur on roads. This would provide necessary closure and certainty to owners whose cats are killed in accidents. I urge the government to amend section 170 of the Road Traffic Act to include cats, requiring drivers to stop and report cat-related accidents. This change could be made via a statutory instrument in a Delegated Legislation Committee.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The petition calls for Parliament to amend legislation to make it a legal requirement for drivers to stop and report accidents involving cats, as they do with horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and dogs. With over 102,436 signatures, the issue highlights the emotional impact of losing a pet cat and the lack of clarity around what has happened to them when such incidents occur. The Cats Protection report found that 92% of owners see their cat as part of the family and that 67% say their cat gives them something to get up for in the morning, underlining the importance of addressing this issue. I am concerned about the tragic impact of road traffic collisions on cats, particularly after my constituent Olivia Holland-Rose's beloved pet D'Artagnan was killed by a car. Approximately 230,000 cats are run over each year, with 630 incidents per day and 35% of drivers admitting to hitting a cat. The lack of legal obligation for drivers to report such collisions makes it harder to gather statistics and increases the likelihood that injured or deceased cats go unreported.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
He mentioned hosting a Cats Protection event with support from 76 MPs and peers, expressing disappointment in the Government's response to the petition on microchipping and urging them to reconsider their stance. Mr Slaughter questioned why national highways contractors are required to identify cats in certain situations but not generally. He pointed out the anomaly in Government's approach regarding reporting requirements for major trunk roads and motorways.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
The MP questioned the necessity of primary legislation for changes, asking what would be discussed if it is not flexible. She also inquired about the possibility of introducing secondary legislation to facilitate changes.
Gill Furniss
Lab
Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Emphasised the importance of changing rule 286 of the highway code to include cats, arguing for compulsory microchipping. Raised concerns about local authority resources needed for scanning animals and informing owners. Criticised the Government's record on animal welfare, citing delays in implementing measures with public support.
James Daly
Con
Heywood and Middleton
Agreed that adding 'cat' into legislation would achieve what has been set out in this debate. He criticised the Government's position on the non-enforceability of reporting a hit-and-run involving cats, arguing it was straightforward to enforce reporting. Mr Daly inquired why the Government preferred best practice guidance over a legal requirement for reporting collisions involving cats.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
Glasgow ANNEDALE AND HILLSOFT
She commended the work of Cats Protection Giffnock in her constituency, which keeps this issue in public view, ensuring that cat owners are notified if their pets have been involved in accidents.
Lia Nici
Con
East Worthing and Shoreham
Ms Nici highlighted the importance of cats in society, noting their role as pest controllers. She shared a personal anecdote about rescuing an injured cat named Stevie and emphasised that most cats have owners who would be devastated by their loss. She questioned why cats were treated differently under the law compared to other animals, particularly if they are stolen.
She suggested that local authorities should receive more support to ensure they have the necessary resources to scan lost cats and dogs and notify their owners.
Margaret Ferrier
Ind
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
She expressed concerns about the delay in making cat microchipping compulsory as previously committed by the Government before the end of last year. Ms Ferrier expressed concern that local authorities' best practice of scanning cats for microchips could change due to budgetary restrictions, leaving policies too open to variation.
Mark Tami
Lab
Alyn and Deeside
He noted the increase in pet ownership during the covid pandemic, highlighting the importance of companionship for people living alone. He emphasised the tragedy of pets being run over by vehicles.
Avid campaigner for cat protection who is here representing her lost pet and advocating for change in current legislation regarding road traffic accidents involving pets.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North Ayrshire and Arran
Welcomed the debate on road traffic collisions involving cats, emphasizing the distress cat owners face when their pets go missing or are involved in accidents. Called for parity in legal recognition between dogs and cats under the Road Traffic Act 1988, highlighting the need for compulsory microchipping of cats as per the Tory manifesto commitment. Highlighted that around 70% of cats in Scotland are already microchipped but 227,000 remain unchipped. Cited Petplan's estimate of 630 cats run over daily and supported Cats Protection's work on scanning for microchips. Urged the government to introduce compulsory cat microchipping to ensure lost or stolen cats can be reunited with their owners. The MP expressed delight at hearing about the move towards compulsory microchipping for cats and inquired whether the Minister shares Blue Cross's view on registering cats on a single database for efficient reunification efforts.
Rehman Chishti
Con
Gillingham and Rainham
He introduced a presentation Bill on the compulsory microchipping of cats and highlighted the need for parity with other animals under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which does not currently cover cats. The MP highlights that current legislation does not cover cats, as it was designed with livestock in mind. He supports the need for microchipping to identify pet cats. Asked my hon. Friend whether legislation to require people to stop and report should be designed with regard to the alleviation of pain and suffering, irrespective of what animal it is. Stressed the need for local authorities to have resources for scanning deceased cats and ensuring they are identified, echoing points made by other MPs. Asked if the road safety review will address adding cats to section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Sheryll Murray
Con
South East Cornwall
Ms Murray declared her interest as a cat owner and co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on cats. She argued that cats should receive the same treatment as other animals under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, noting that cats often work in rural areas by keeping vermin down. Ms Murray shared personal stories involving incidents where cats were injured or killed in road traffic collisions and highlighted the lack of statistics for such accidents, which hinder efforts to implement road safety measures. My hon. Friend suggested that Members might bring forward a ten-minute rule Bill or private Member's Bill to amend the Act if primary legislation is needed.
Government Response
Richard Holden
Government Response
It is an absolute pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Harris. Britain is a nation of animal lovers, and the Government take road safety extremely seriously; any death or serious injury on our roads is unacceptable. The Department is working on the road safety strategic framework, which we hope to publish in spring this year. This framework will be based on a safe system approach, already adopted as best practice in other countries that have made further significant reductions in road deaths and casualties. Primary legislation would be required to change the law in this area, but the Government are prepared to look at the possibility of secondary legislation if that proves not to be the case. While we must do all we can to improve road safety, we must also avoid making decisions that could have unforeseen negative effects or create an administrative burden. In 2021, there were 348 reported road collisions involving both an animal and a person directly, while Petplan suggests there might be hundreds of thousands of cases annually involving cats. The Government do not plan at present to make it a legal requirement for drivers to stop and report collisions with cats due to the difficulty in enforcement and potential administrative burden. However, we are committed to introducing compulsory cat microchipping in England, which has already received over 99% support in consultation last year. Legislation will be laid before Parliament in the coming weeks, with a research project to understand any barriers and promote best practice for local authorities and other stakeholders. The Government remain committed to further improvements later in the year.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.