Councillor Kenny Hay highlighted the plight of feline family members who are hit by cars after his own kitten Tigger was mown down and required surgery.

However the driver did not stop to report the accident — which would have been a crime if the driver had hit a dog.

Now the problem has been brought back into the spotlight after our reporter Sean Rooney hit a cat in his car in Barrhead, and stopped to ensure it was safely picked up by the SSPCA.

A national charity has also thrown its weight behind the campaign as an online petition springs up to force a change in the Road Traffic Act to legally require drivers to stop.

Cllr Kenny Hay said: “Any pet owner knows that they become part of your family.

“It can be heartbreaking to find out that something like this has happened to your pet and you have no way of knowing who did it or even what happened.

“A dog owner is afforded this basic courtesy under law — so should cat owners.” Cllr Hay visited the Cat Protection league’s Giffnock branch earlier this month as they launched their own campaign to enact change.

A change.org petition has also been launched, and signed by the councillor, to try and force the government to make the necessary changes.

Tigger, who was just a kitten at the time of the incident in June, required extensive surgery to his back leg and cracked his pelvis.

However after a few weeks recovery he was back on his feet — thanks in part to his young age.

Cllr Hay said: “We are thankful that someone spotted what happened when the red Ford Fiesta hit him and drove off, and also thankful that we had insurance.

“The vet bills can get extremely expensive very quickly.” “Britain is a nation of pet lovers, and I am very surprised that this argument does not seem to hold much political sway.

“People might say that a cat is just — a cat.

“That is why I do not believe it is right that cats do not have the same rights as dogs, or other animals for that matter.” The cat that reporter Sean Rooney hit was taken into care by the SSPCA after it was discovered at the scene on Glasgow Road last Thursday that it was not micro chipped.

An online appeal to trace its owner, if it has one, has now been launched. Anyone who recognises the cat is asked to get in touch with The News on 0141 435 8885 or the SSPCA on 03000 999 999.