Cats that have been killed and removed from the road will be checked to see if they have been chipped so their owners can be informed.

This comes on the back of a campaign spearheaded by Barrhead councillor Kenny Hay that has gained national traction.

A petition has now been signed by thousands of people, calling on the law to be changed.

The council’s quick response team is to be given two scanners by the Cats Protection League.

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.

The problem was 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.” Information gained from the cat’s microchip will be passed to the charity. They will then try to match it with any reports of missing cats and trace their owners.

Convener for environment, Councillor Vincent Waters, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Cats Protection League on this.

“The scanners will be used by our quick response teams, who remove cats sadly knocked down and killed on the road.

“Not knowing what happened to your cat if it fails to come home is horrible so we’re happy that we may be able to help owners with answers about what happened to their beloved pet.”