Cat's death sparks speed message from pet owner

A distraught pet owner has filled her car windscreen with a speed warning after her son's cat was run over in Kent.

Nicki Ralph took the step after fearing drivers were not sticking to the 20mph limit in Wingham.

She said people were reducing their speed to read the message, which said "please do 20 before another pet is killed".

Ms Ralph said: "It was my son's cat and he is autistic, so it was really quite stressful. The day before we had to have our dog put down so it was an awful week."

Ms Ralph hoped people would read the sign and consider their speed.

“Unless you are really heartless, most people would think 'yes, that’s a bit tough', and you think about that child who's lost an animal and it's just heart-breaking.”

The 20mph limit was put on the A257 between Sandwich and Canterbury in 2022 after a survey of residents showed overwhelming support for the restriction.

The limit applies to Adisham Road, Staple Road and Canterbury Road, with a buffer zone near Preston Hill to give drivers time to slow down.

“We have been shutting our other cats in and not letting them out, but it seems unfair in this heat," added Ms Ralph.

"But I was up last night until 2am to make sure they were all indoors."

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