A spate of cats being injured and killed by vehicles in Wellington has angered local pet owners.

Matthew Philips who lives on Howard Road is among many that have experienced the heart wrenching loss of a family pet.

Zeus has been his second pet killed in a road incident during a very short space of time.

He said: “I’m very upset that I’ve lost another family pet cat in a matter of months. I’m more saddened that I have to try and explain to my 2 year old daughter that another one of her favourite pets has passed away.”

According to section 170 of the road traffic act you must report a car accident with dogs, horses and most other livestock but not cats.

There are national campaigns to make a change to this law. Olivia Holland Rose a famous west end actress, hopes to make it a legal requirement for drivers to stop and report collisions with cats.

Matthew added: “As much as I would love this law to extend to cats, I think it is a simple obligation to do what is right.

“If I had hit any animal with my car I would be devastated and would do everything in my power to help it, find the owner and pay for any vet bills.”

He added: “Do I think it was a speeding motorist? It’s hard to know as I was not there however I could easily believe it.

“Due to parked cars on either side of the road people often come speeding around the corner, sometimes cutting the corner entirely while nearly crashing into anyone turning into Howard Road.

“People should drive to the conditions, most are only going to queue up in traffic at the junction lights anyway so what’s the rush?”