A cat lover has started a petition to have the law changed to give the animals more rights on roads.

Emma Cronin's cat Tigger had to be put down after being hit by a vehicle.

Current legislation means the driver, who did not stop, had no obligation to and is not liable.

Miss Cronin, of Park Wood, is now fighting to have cats recognised in law the same way as a horse, cow, donkey, mule, sheep, pig, dog or goat would be.

The 37-year-old, who has five other cats, was at home when another driver, who had seen the accident, knocked on the door.

"The three ladies who saw it happen stopped," she said. "They very kindly took him to the vet with me."

Despite receiving pain relief and oxygen, Tigger's injuries were so severe that vets advised he be put down.

She said: "I have never done that before – had to have an animal put to sleep. It’s not the sort of thing you would wish upon any family."

The loss of Tigger, who Miss Cronin adopted after moving to Wallis Avenue, has been hard to take.

"We moved here last April and noticed him around," she said.

"We started looking after him and feeding him. You could say he was a neighbourhood cat, but he became part of the family."

Miss Cronin, who lives with her partner and three children – aged 12, three and 19 months – has since launched the petition.

She contacted the company whose employee hit Tigger and was told they were not liable because the law does not cover cats.

The Road Traffic Act of 1988 says drivers must stop and report an incident to police if damage is caused to an animal that was not in the vehicle, but the list does not include cats and deer.

Her campaign now has almost 500 signatures and Miss Cronin hopes the law can be changed.

Sign the petition here.