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Written question asked by Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 15 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. It was answered by Lilian Greenwood (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.


Roads: Accidents

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to introduce a duty to report car collisions with cats.

Answer

There are no plans to introduce a legal duty for drivers to report collisions with cats.

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. Because of that, it would be difficult to prosecute drivers if the law was changed.

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.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
9753
Session
2026-27
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Accidents Roads Cats
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk