WEST FIFE Cats Protection has called for a change in the law after a cat was hit by a car and left for dead on Arthur Street. 

The poor animal’s eye was badly damaged and it was also bleeding from its ears and fitting when passers-by rushed to its aid. 

The incident took place at around 7pm on Tuesday, August 7, near the junction beside Headwell Avenue. 

Witnesses say the car, which is believed to be a Silver Vauxhall Astra, did not attempt to brake or stop. 

Joanne Enrici, 60, of Logie Place, was travelling behind the Astra at the time. She told the Press: “The car in front was going very fast down the road. 

“The cat just bounced off the car and the driver kept going. 

“I stopped because the poor thing was just lying there in the middle of the road.

“Two young girls were standing beside a bus stop at the time and they saw the whole thing. 

“One of them was very traumatised and when she saw that the cat’s eye had popped out she started screaming. 

“It was very upsetting.”

Joanne was about to take the cat to the vets but a neighbour said he would take care of it as he believed he knew who owned the pet. 

However, she later found out that another passer-by took it to a vet. 

Unfortunately, due to the extent of the cat’s injuries it did not survive. It’s described as being grey and white and semi-long-haired. The pet’s owner is yet to be traced. 

Joanne added: “The cat was still alive when I got to it and I just tried to pet it to give it some comfort. 

“It was in just an awful state. I’m 60 so I’ve seen a lot of things in my time but the girls were just young teenagers so I think they were really traumatised. One ran off in tears.

"You could tell it was a well looked-after cat and it’s horrible to think it was someone’s pet.”

Joanne’s daughter was contacted by West Fife Cats Protection when she posted about the incident on Facebook. 

The organisation say this sort of incident is a common occurrence in West Fife. 

A representative said: “The cat’s injuries were horrific and the driver did not stop at all after it was mowed down. 

“The street is only 20mph and it’s not unusual for people to do this deliberately too. 

“People need to realise that cats are pets and it was maybe an elderly person’s only companion. The young girls were traumatised. 

“When we posted about the incident it highlighted how bad this problem is here. There were countless people saying no-one stopped for their cat in recent weeks too. 

“There is a petition that has had its first reading in the Scottish Parliament recently that incorporates mandatory microchipping of all cats. This would mean that running them over would require people to stop and report it. Let’s hope this becomes law soon.”

For more information about the petition visit https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ban-keeping-un-neutered-cats-in-scotland