Hit a cat - what to do?

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Imy

Imy

Imy

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Was driving out of my estate and a cat decides to sprint across the road just as I was going by and unfortunately I couldn't stop completely in time. At impact it was going faster than I was and ran off afterwards. I looked around but couldn't find it.

I must have injured it though as the lower grill fell off the car and one of the bars it was clipped onto was broken. 2 other bits of trim broke off as well but I've no idea where they came from yet.

What are you supposed to do in these circumstances?
 
Ok legal stuff aside, would it help to report the incident to anyone? I've no idea who the owner is unfortunately.
 
You say it was running faster than your car was travelling at the time of impact?

You didn't run it over, it ran into your car. Treat this the same way you would if a cat ran into your car while it were parked on the drive, ignore it.
 
Just got to hope then that it's owner discovers it's injury and takes it to the vet.

I'm not even an animal lover but it's still a little shocking to hit something like that.
 
Imy said:
What are you supposed to do in these circumstances?
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If you can't find the cat; there's nothing you can do. If it ran off that's a good sign, hopefully it made it somewhere where someone will take it to the vet.

:(
 
Mr Jack said:
If you can't find the cat; there's nothing you can do. If it ran off that's a good sign, hopefully it made it somewhere where someone will take it to the vet.

:(
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not necessarily, we had a cat when i was a kid, it got hit in the avenue next to our old house, it legged it into next doors back garden settled down and died :( I saw it all happen too, was devastated :(
 
Legally you are not required to do anything, but the car driver that hit our cat recently came and told us, and even though it was not his fault was very apologetic.

Just the actions of a decent human being imho.

If you cannot trace the owner, this will be impossible, but it is uncomfortable knowing what happened and the cat may be lying in a ditch dying, they often do this after being hit by a car.
 
In hindsight I wish I paid more attention to where it went and I know you hear this all the time but everything happened really quick.
 
Imy said:
In hindsight I wish I paid more attention to where it went and I know you hear this all the time but everything happened really quick.
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Clearly you have the right attitude unlike some people in this thread ;)
 
paradigm said:
Find me that in Law. Thanks.
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Yes master..., no wait, do it yourself.

If you hit a dog its the owners fault for not controlling their animal and they are liable for damage to your property (the vehicle). If you hit a cat its your fault (same as hitting a sheep) and you are responsible for the damage to the owners property (the cat, in reality this means covering vet bills/etc not replacing the cat).
 
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A cat is regarded as ferae naturae (undomesticated wild animal) and there is no liability if you hit one in a car.
 
paradigm said:
Shocking? To hit a cat? Can't say I've ever cared tbh.
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So you've run over someones cat and not cared?

Wow. Would you have at least reversed over it to finish the job? Perhaps shown a little mercy? :)



Never hit a cat or dog but hit a badger once in a mates R5 turbo. Not sure which I was feeling more guilty for, the car or the badger.


ubersonic said:
not replacing the cat).
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"Think I just run over your cat, heres another one"

(Sorry)



:D
 
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