Edinburgh locals have been left devastated after a well-known neighbourhood cat was killed in brutal hit and run and left to die on the road.
The incident took place on Monday, January 16 in the Blackford area of the city. The cat Timmy, 3, was the sibling of the famous Mr Spock - a large cat with a social media following due to his adventures around the Marchmont area.
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Owners Steph Craig and Keith McDougall have been left absolutely heartbroken after a local dog walker found the feline by the side of the road and took him to the local vet, the Cat Clinic.
The family are now appealing to anyone who was in the area and might have dash cam footage to get in touch so they can track down the driver.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live devastated owner Steph said: "He would be four in May. His name was Timmy.
"We have three cats from the same litter including Mr Spock the famous one.
"He was in a hit-and-run and just left to die."
She continued: "A passerby who was a dog walker wrapped him up in towels and ran round to the Cat Clinic. The staff there took him to the clinic but he died.
"It's shocking that there is no law in place that you need to stop and do the responsible thing. There is a law that you must stop if you hit a dog."
The owners shared on the famous Mr Spock Facebook page writing: "Spock's brother was killed this morning in a hit and run in Blackford. He was left dying on the road by himself. If anyone saw anything please let us know, right around the corner by the avenue store.
"The wonderful Cat Clinic vet rushed to his rescue but sadly he passed away in the clinic. Thank you to the woman who put a towel on him and ran to the Cat Clinic to get help.
"Timmy was a very big cat and you would have known if you had hit him. We can't believe he was just left. I hope whoever you are that you've had a traumatic day. We certainly have. Our kids are distraught. The outcome may have been the same but nevertheless."
Hundreds of devastating locals reacted to the tragic news and sent well wishes.
Liz Krol said: "It is an absolute disgrace that people don’t have to stop or report hitting a cat. As if cats don’t matter nor the owners who are left devastated and searching for their beloved pet."
Linda Doig said: "So devastating to lose your beautiful boy in this way, I just don’t get people nowadays just to leave him disgraceful hop someone nearby has cameras."
While Helene MacLean added: "So very sad rest in peace beautiful Timmy my thought are with his human family especially the children our cats are part of our life and such a big miss when we have to part especially in such tragic circumstances hug to all."
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If a motorist hits a dog or other animal mentioned in the Road Traffic Act 1988 you are legally required to inform the police but the act does not include cats.
There was a petition to make it a legal requirement for drivers to stop and report collisions with cats, that reached over 100,000 signatures, which was debated in parliament.
But on February 22 last year a UK Government spokesperson said: "The Government has no plans to make it an offence to drive off after hitting a cat. A focus for this Government is to make roads safer for all users, which will in turn reduce the risk to all animals."
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