A distraught owner has asked the driver who ran over his pet cat to come forward and claim responsibility.

Rani, a three-year-old ginger cat of Somalian pedigree, was found dead on a grass verge near the car park entrance to The Barn Fitness Club, in Cholsey at 8 AM on Sunday morning.

Her owner, S. Murthy, believes she may have been hit by a car and has asked the driver to come out and admit his mistake, while also requesting any witnesses who may have seen anything to contact him.

He said: “What I am seeking is the identity of the vehicle that may have struck her, and if this was the case, the reason why the driver did not report this to the police. 

“She was clearly out on the grass verge and if she was hit, it would have been on the road.

“I would like to request anyone with any information who may have been driving through Church Road at the time, to please get in touch.” 

Drivers are legally obliged to call the police when hitting one of the following animals with a car: dogs, horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, donkeys and mules. They are advised to stop the car as soon as it's safe and switch off the engine.

Drivers are not required by law to call the police when hitting a cat.

Please contact Mr. Murthy on smurthy@tuta.io if you have any information on this incident.

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