The woman hit the pet on the coast road from Grouville to St Clement on Sunday afternoon. She was then allegedly seen by witnesses trying to strangle the animal and then hit its head against a piece of metal until it died.
Witnesses reported the incident to the States police and the Animals’ Shelter.
Steve Coleman, chief executive of the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter, said that only trained professionals had the right to kill a pet and people could be convicted of animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act (Jersey Law) 2007.
‘Unless you are a vet or a professional you do not have the right to end that animal’s life,’ he said.
‘You are not to do anything which would cause an animal to suffer. You can contact us and we will contact the professionals. You are not in power to pick the animal up and smash its head against metal. It is horrific. Unless you are a vet you do not know what has happened to it, it is a barbaric act.’
The police are currently in the process of speaking to witnesses.
Willie Peggie, director of the Environment Department, confirmed that an investigation into allegations of animal cruelty was under way by the States Veterinary Office.
Islander Phil Vieira was travelling with his friend, Crissie Roque who stopped the car when they saw the cat lying in the road. The 29-year-old said that as soon as he saw the injured cat, he contacted the JSPCA. However, before the staff arrived, both he and Miss Roque witnessed the woman attempting to ‘suffocate’ the cat and then ‘bashed its head’ against the metal.
‘She said she had to put it out of its’ misery. But she wasn’t a vet and did not know if it was going to survive or not.’
Under current law, drivers are not required to contact the police if they have injured a cat, but they must report the incident if they hit a dog.
More than 2,200 people have an signed an online petition calling for the law to be updated to make it illegal to hit a cat and drive off.
One Islander who has signed the online petition commented: ‘Why should it be any different for a cat? It is still someone’s pet. Absolutely disgusted about what I have read and it is time to change the law. We have some amazing vets on this Island who maybe could have saved the cat, or at least put it to sleep peacefully.’
Hannah Chynnah ST HELIER, JERSEY
This woman’s behavior towards another sentient, living being was disgusting and she deserves to be punished. Her actions were abhorrent.
Elaine Quinn CHANNEL ISLANDS, JERSEY
This is horrendous and should be made legal to report it if you hit a cat on the road this woman should be prosecuted .
sou moignard ST CLEMENT, JERSEY
A cat should be no different than a dog. The family’s, especially the children are equally as concerned when a pet does not return home, perhaps more so, as we know we will never get the phone call to advise your cat is lying in the road, being repeatedly run over like the seagulls we see, people have hit and left, or wounded, dying somewhere having managed to crawl off. Maybe you just drive past and see it, or end up wondering if your cat went to live with someone else or got hit. An owner deserves the same peace of mind, more importantly. A cat deserves the same medical treatment as a dog, and it is being deprived the opportunity by leaving it to die on the side of the road.
Ailsa M ST LAWRENCE, JERSEY
I agree. Also witnessed a cat in agony after hit and run…not a pretty sight and some kids just kicked it off the road…shocking!
Jan kenny ST BRELADE, JERSEY
