Paw-litical petition has meow-factor

Friday 07 September 2018

Feline rights are getting involved in paw-litics with a new petition that has hit the record of becoming the fastest-growing cause on the States website.

A petition to stop cat ‘hit and runs’ will be giving Ministers paws for thought after it became the fastest petition to reach 1,000 signatures, quicker than issues like assisted dying, the site of the Future Hospital and the legalisation of cannabis.

A cat-tivist group called ‘Equal Rights 4 Cats’ submitted the petition in order to make hitting a cat in a car reportable just like with dogs and other animals.

Pictured: The petition to make hitting a cat in a car reportable by law was quicker to reach 1,000 signatures than ones about assisted dying and the site of the Future Hospital.

The petition, created by cat-lover and campaigner Sandra Jasmins, has reached more than 1,000 signatures in just over 24 hours, meaning that Ministers have to respond to it. 

The campaign to stop cat ‘hit and runs’ has been raising awareness and gaining popularity in the island by sharing stories of local cats who have been hit by drivers and left on the roadside. 

If the petition gets 5,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for debate in States Assembly. 

Video: Campaigners want to change the law to make cat 'hit and runs' reportable (Equal Rights 4 Cats).

The record-setting petition news comes as the recently-launched 'direct democracy' site reached another landmark today.

This morning, a petition demanding a compensation scheme for victims of cancers linked with asbestos exposure became the first to receive a Ministerial response.

In it, Social Security Minister Deputy Judy Martin reaffirmed her commitment to review the idea of a redress scheme for those affected as a result of exposure while being employed by the States of Jersey or whose own employers no longer exist.

However, suffers of mesothelioma who contracted the disease while working for a non-States employer that still exists are able to make claims against them.

The Deputy explained: “Employers are required, by law, to hold liability insurance and sufferers of diffuse mesothelioma may be able to claim, dependent on individual circumstances.  

“The regulation of activities which may carry a risk of exposure to asbestos has developed over the years, and the prevention of exposure to such risks is one the highest priorities for the Health and Safety Inspectorate.”

In the meantime, however, she urged those affected by asbestos-related illness to contact the Citizen’s Advice Bureau to learn what support is available for them.