Beloved cat’s death leads Somerset man to launch speed watch group
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
A grieving Chard resident has launched a local speed watch initiative after his beloved pet cat was killed in what he believes was a speeding incident.
John Barton, whose three-year-old cat Missy was struck and fatally injured by a car on 26th July, has helped form a new community speed watch group in Chard, South Somerset. The group aims to gather speed data on two local roads - Touchstone Lane and Helliers Road - with the intention of sharing their findings with Avon and Somerset Police and Chard Town Council.
The long-term goal is to support the introduction of a 20mph limit or additional traffic-calming measures in the area.
Mr Barton described the incident, which occurred between 8.20pm and 8.50pm at the corner of Rackclose Park Road and Touchstone Lane, as "devastating and avoidable". He believes the driver was travelling at an estimated 40–45mph and failed to stop after hitting Missy.
“We were sitting in our garden at the time and heard nothing,” he said. “We only later saw Missy in the road through our window, suffering terribly. She had been hit in the head and was left in the middle of the road, bleeding heavily and struggling to move. Her eye was protruding and she was in clear extreme pain. Her heart was still beating when we found her, and we rushed her to CombeField Vets, but she sadly passed away on the way. She was just three years old.”
He continued: “We are devastated but also angry. Who hits an animal and just drives off? Why didn’t they stop? Why didn’t they beep the horn to scare her off the road? Just a moment of care could have spared her this pain.
“Missy didn’t deserve this. She was a gentle, beautiful little soul. We are completely heartbroken.”
Mr Barton had previously raised concerns about speeding along Touchstone Lane, posting a public warning just three weeks before the fatal incident. He noted a noticeable increase in vehicles travelling above the speed limit and expressed fears about pedestrian and pet safety in the area.
Since Missy’s death, Mr Barton and fellow residents have submitted their application to join the official Community Speed Watch scheme run by Avon and Somerset Police. They are now awaiting site approval and training dates before they can begin monitoring traffic speeds.
Chard Town Council has also recently voiced concerns about road safety in the town, particularly around residential areas.
Mr Barton hopes the tragic loss of Missy will serve as a wake-up call and lead to real action to make local streets safer for everyone - humans and animals alike.
( Photo: Missy by John Barton / Facebook 📸 )