A NHS worker whose cat was struck down in Farnworth over the weekend has launched a petition to secure more rights for cat owners and their feline companions.

Chloe, 25, was sitting outside in her garden with her partner at around 11am on Sunday morning, when their neighbours called them out on to the road.

The acute mental health worker was horrified when she realised that her moggy cat, Sally, had been struck down - and the driver who hit her 'hadn't bothered to stop'.

Speaking to The Bolton News, Chloe said: "I was so sad when I realised. She was only 16 months old and so full of life.

"She looked like she had been hit by severe impact. The road is supposed to be a 20mph limit but so many people drive like idiots down that way - and there's no speed cameras or speed bumps."

Now, she has launched a petition to secure more rights for cats - as it is currently not a legal requirement to stop after hitting one.

According to the Road Traffic Act 1988, a driver is required to stop and report an accident involving specified animals including horses, cattle ass, mules, sheep, pigs, goats or dogs - but not cats.

Chloe believes this is partly because cats are not as worth much money as dogs or farm animals, and because they are less likely to cause damage to an owner's vehicle.

Legislation was proposed in 2018 to make it a legal requirement for motorists to stop after striking a cat, but the Bill failed to pass through Parliament.

As a result, cats remain unrecognised within UK law, and motorists can legally hit a cat and leave it in the road to die.

Chloe added: "If cats are included in the Road Traffic Act alongside dogs and other working animals, not only are they more likely to survive if a driver is required to stop and attend to the cat, but, when cats are killed by motorists, owners are much more likely to be made aware straight away.

"They would also be much more likely to be able to collect their body, and as a result, cats could be put to rest how their owner wishes.

"To every pet owner out there, whether you’re a cat owner or not, our pets should not be legally unimportant. Sign this petition and call for change.

"Let’s stop cats being disposable on UK roads."