A Southend family has been left devastated after their beloved cat was run over and fatally injured on a quiet residential road.
The incident happened just after 6:30pm on 29th March, on a private road in Southend. The cat, a much-loved pet belonging to a family of six, was hit by a car that had pulled out from a parking space.
Despite being rushed to a vet, the injuries were too severe, and the cat had to be put to sleep shortly afterwards.
Josh Spearpoint, one of the cat’s owners, said: “Our cat was slowly walking across. The car pulled out of a parking space and had more than enough time to see the cat. But they chose not to stop. The car blatantly ran him over, crushed his entire body and left.”
Danielle Bellini, also from the family, added: “This was my poor baby. The whole thing was recorded. The police have been notified. He was at the vet by 6:50pm and he died with me by his side.”
The loss has left the family – including four children – in a state of shock and sadness.
Under current UK law, the driver wasn’t legally required to stop or report the incident to police, as cats aren’t included in the list of animals protected under the Road Traffic Act (1988).
According to the law, drivers must report collisions to the police if they involve dogs, horses, cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys and mules — but cats remain excluded.
Andrew Beevers, a neighbour, added: “This was my neighbour’s cat and it was the sweetest thing. My heart goes out to Josh and Danielle. Our kids have adored seeing this loveable animal around. We also have two cats so it’s a worry.”
The hugely apologetic driver of the car has since decided to issue a statement to tell the other side of the story. She said: “On 31 March I learnt of an incident in which I had been involved in, whereby a cat had been injured, taken to the vets and sadly lost its life after coming into contact with my car the previous evening. I was devastated to learn that this had happened.
“We made contact with the family the following afternoon and apologised profusely. A mixture of blind spots, a bumpy road, one very over-tired toddler and a large Range River irresponsibly parked in the middle of the road, led to an unfortunate circumstance in which the cat was accidentally and unknowingly injured.
“This incident was reported to the police both on 31 March and today following the onslaught of accusations that have been thrown my way by the family. Again, I am devastated – as a cat owner myself – that this is something that happened and have apologised and taken responsibility for this.”
Shocking statistics and calls for change
It’s estimated that around 230,000 cats are hit by cars every year in the UK, which equates to roughly 630 every single day. A study by insurer PetPlan also found that younger cats are most vulnerable – with half of those struck being between seven months and two years old.
Campaigns to change the law have gained momentum in recent years, with numerous petitions calling for cats to be given the same legal protections as dogs and livestock.
For now, cat owners can often be left without legal recourse when their pets are injured or killed on the road.
What to do if you hit an animal
While the law doesn’t require drivers to report hitting a cat, animal welfare organisations still urge people to stop, check on the animal, and seek help if needed.
If you hit or find an injured animal, you can call:
- RSPCA (England and Wales): 0300 1234 999
Even if you’re unsure whether the animal is alive, watching from a safe distance and contacting professionals can make a difference.
As the debate continues about whether cats should be legally protected under road traffic laws, families like Josh and Danielle’s are left grieving — hoping that change might come before more pets are lost in the same tragic way.