What is the evidence that cats are actually the cause of "multi-car pile-ups"?
I wasn't saying they definitely cause multi car pile ups - I was speaking hypothetically - surely even the possibility that your cat could cause a serious accident should be enough to make you think twice about knowingly putting it in (its own as well as others') harm's way?
There's more to this society than cars and roads - leave the kitties alone and let the drivers do their best not to cause accidents, I say.
Sorry Rebecca, but this is along the lines of the NRA 'guns don't kill people, people do' argument. I refuse to buy it. All well and good that cats are a part of our society, but that is no excuse for allowing them to pose a danger to themselves and to drivers (not to mention the millions of small birds and mammals that domestic cats kill every year). Leave the kitties alone - well, if its natural to allow them wander freely, should we also not neuter them, as neutering them is 'unnatural' and goes against their instinct - should we leave them alone and let humans/society/wildlife deal with the explosion in numbers?
Saying that drivers should do their best to avoid accidents does not make sense - even by doing their best, drivers will not avoid every accident every time. Surely if we can lessen the risk of an accident happening in the first place, we should do so? Also, I would wager a good proportion of the roadkill you see is caused by excessive speed not allowing enough time to swerve, or the animal dashing out 'unseen'.
Sherman the major difference between cats and dogs is that you are required by law to keep you dog on a leash/tethered, mainly due to sheep worrying, visciousness etc.
What about simply keeping your cat out of harm's way out of a sense of concern for your cat and the general public?
There is no requirement with regard to cats and that's why I reckon there would be no clear liability on a cat owner whose cat "caused" an accident.
I beg to differ - regardless of a statutory prohibition on letting your cat roam freely, it would surely be relatively easy to establish causation if it could be proved you knew your cat frequented a busy road and/or had had near misses in the recent past? The insurance I got specifically covers you if for instance your cat/dog scratches/bites a guest in your house for instance - yes you have no control over your cat's natural instinct to scratch/bite if it feels threatened, but you can still be made liable for any damage/injury caused. We cannot just allow cats have free rein and expect motorists to avoid them on roads as best they can.
My point remains - whatever about the legal rights/obligations or otherwise, responsible pet owners DO NOT put their pets and others at risk by allowing them near busy roads. Simple as that.
