Drivers on Jersey face fine if they run over a cat and don't stop

Drivers on Jersey face being fined thousands of pounds if they run over a cat and don't stop after local politicians voted to change the law this week.

In doing so, the island becomes the first part of the British Isles to force motorists to report accidents involving the animals.

The change to the Road Traffic Law mean drivers will be required to either inform the owner of the cat, the Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) or the police in the event that they hit a cat with their vehicle.

In failing to do so, the driver could be fined up to £10,000. 

The vote passed Jersey's States Assembly on Tuesday, and was held following a debate that came in response to an online petition.

A proposition was brought forward by Deputy Jeremy Maçon on behalf of the Equal Rights for Cats Group in 2019. 

The group's online petition gained over 5,000 signatures.