A Perthshire MP whose cat went viral last year has called for a change in the law after his beloved pet was killed by a car.
John Nicolson's ginger pet Rojo gained fans all over the world when he popped up on screen during a Zoom meeting with a parliamentary committee.
His appearance, which prompted Mr Nicolson to ask Rojo to put his tail down, has been viewed over 12 million times across the globe.
He even appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Show.
But Mr Nicolson, who represents Ochil and South Perthshire, has spoken of his pain at losing his friend in his Perthshire Advertiser column this week.
The driver did not stop after the incident, and Mr Nicolson wants to see the law changed to make it compulsory for drivers to stop after hitting a cat.
It is currently required of drivers to stop when they hit other animals such as dogs and horses.
Describing the incident, the SNP politician said: “Two weeks ago, Rojo went for an evening stroll to our garden gate.
“I never worried when he was out. He was scared of cars, avoided roads, and never strayed far.
“Within moments, neighbours I didn’t know were at our door.
“Rojo had been killed by a car, they said. A driver had handed them his body but hadn’t stopped. Details were sketchy. Rojo was lying dead in their driveway when we went to their address, his head wrapped in a towel.
“A half hour after I’d given him his tea, we were leaving him, lifeless, at the vet.
“There have been many tears since. The house is quiet without him.
“I long for his boisterous, demanding, constant presence when awake, and his trusting snoring beside me on the sofa when asleep.
“Some people will say he was just a cat. But he was my Rojo. I loved him, and I miss him.”
