Why cant people get sued for running over a cat but they can for a dog?

Question

i think it is soo unfair that if you run over a dog its like you get sued!
But if you run over a cat you just throw it in the ditch.

If you have ever done that please say so.

well i think it is still cruel because my cat got run over and nothing was done!

Cats are not vermins like all animals are the same!
No one would say that about a dog

Cats can be anyones bestfriend.
People think they are diseased rats or something!

some cats are a lot cleaner than dogs!
(I love dogs too though!)

cats are not stupid.
~~(>__<)#~~~

I know that but i just am upset about my cat, Sheebah....

( - - )#~~~

I supose they are wild......

But not all of them are.i think its only because you have to have a licence for a dog.

Answer 1

I had a kitten - who had a collar - hit by a car. The driver didn't even stop. The very nice people who lived across the street from where she was hit found me and called me. They were very upset that she had simply been left, and I was devestated.

I'm am in the process of researching what it would take to get a law requiring cat owners to license their cats on the books in my city. Because it is illegal to leave a dog, but it's not illegal to leave a cat. As a result, cats who are left by careless, thoughtless owners to roam the streets and forage for food wherever they can get it. A housecat's average life expectancy is 15-20 years. A stray's life expectancy is 2. Anyone who thinks cats "perfer to roam free" is a moron.

To the person who said cats are vermin - YOU are vermin.

To the person who said cats aren't man's best friend, my two cats greet me at the door every day, take every possible opportunity to sit on my lap that they can, and both sleep with me. I have never owned at cat that didn't absolutely adore me. I've had more than one cat that loved licking my face, which my dog never does, and one cat that would jump up in my arms when I was standing if I told her to "come up". Dogs may be man's best friend, but cat's are DEFINITELY woman's best friend.

Answer 2

You have got it wrong, you can not be sued for running over a dog. If someone runs a dog over the law requires the driver to report the matter to the police so that it is easier for the driver to sue the dog owner for failing to keep control of his mutt.

The reasoning behind this is that dogs are normally larger than cats and can do a lot of damage to an innocent drivers car when he runs the mutt over.

With cats on the other hand, they seldom do damage to cars so they don't matter. You just have to kick them out of the way so they do not litter up the road.

ALSO

Those who say cats are not vermin, rubbish, they are vermin, they are always shitting in my garden. How would you like it if I took a dump in your garden?

Answer 3

The laws of the road are often very old and 'dated' I understand that certain animals are covered by old highway laws. At one time people who owned dogs had to have a dog licence. The code mentions dogs, horses and certain other farm animals too in law.
I think there are seven animals all together.
I just had a look at the Highway code website, but I couldn't find the list, which I'm sure is still vallied.

Unfortunately cats are not included and like most wild animals, such as the poor hedgehog, they fall victim to the dreaded vehicle.

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/02.htm

Answer 4

its boils down to years ago when the dog was used alot more for things like hunting, retrieving etc it is considered a working animal so by running over one could result in somebodys livelyhood being ruined wheras a cat isn't and never really has been (apart from mouse/rat catchers) classed as a working animal. but its very rare now that you can get sued here in bonney england for running over a dog unless it was your fault eg you were drunk, on drugs. if the dog just ran out in front of the car you have the right to sue the owner of the dog whether it survived or not

Answer 5

I think first, your mom should go check on the kittens. If they didn't make it, it might be better if you don't see. If they did, but are hurt, they need to be taken care of. Don't take a chance on an animal suffering all night. I am so sorry for your loss, I know how hard it is to lose a pet. Now, tonight, right now, I would call the police and file a report. German Shepherds running loose are a menace. Tell the police you know who the dogs belong to, and that they are always running loose. There are laws against that. Next time it could be a child or elderly person who is attacked! If one of the kittens made it, or you decide to adopt another kitten eventually, please keep the kitty inside to keep her safe, and get her spayed. A spayed housecat is the world's greatest pet. Good luck, Hon. My heart is with you.

Answer 6

I have four very cute and loveable cats...who are not "free creatures".

And the whole free creatures thing makes no sense, as

A) where I am from you cannot let your cats roam free;
B) if an owner of a dog is supposed to keep his dog enclosed, wouldn't it be his problem if he let his dog run free and it got hit by a car?

I have never run over either, but I darn sure would track down the owner and advise them of what happened, apologize and offer some sort of restitution.

AND I would sue if one of my babies got run over. I'm sure you could if you knew who did it and had proof, I just don't think that is normally the case.

Answer 7

Dogs are property, therefore a person can sue for loss of property or damages to property. It isn't really a suit about a dog being run over but loss of property. Who out there can honestly claim they own a cat, that the cat is actually their property, and prove it.
It also depends upon the area where you live. In some areas, if a dog is roaming loose and gets in front of your car, you can sue the owner of that dog for damages to your vehicle.

Answer 8

If I run over a cat I certainly do not throw it in a ditch. I take the cat home, stuff it and mount it on a nice polished slab of oak ( I am an amateaur Taxidermist). If I can find the owner I take the cat and present it to them free of charge, if I cant find the owner I put the stuffed cat on ebay

Answer 9

Think this is because it is not possible to legally own a cat, they are free spirits, therefore if someone runs over 'your' cat you cannot claim for something that you didn't own in the first place. Dogs however are supposed to have responsible owners.

Answer 10

Ok love here it is. dogs are meant to be kept under control at all times and in the persons care. Cats roam any where and every where they do not old the same respect as a dog in a court of law. there small and are not easily seen unlike a dog.