Durban North pet owner recounts heartache of losing pet in hit-and-run

A DISTRAUGHT Delaware Avenue resident has spoken out about her anguish after her pet cat, Rocky, was killed in a hit-and-run.

Jackie Nightingale’s cat was struck by a motorist on Adelaide Tambo Drive on December 5. He died moments later from the injuries he sustained to his head. The driver did not stop at the scene of the accident.

Nightingale shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook showing the incident, which was captured on CCTV footage.

She has asked for accountability and for the driver involved in the incident to come forward to help her with closure.

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“I would just like to talk to the driver, so he can tell me what happened,” she explained. “I want to give them the opportunity to come forward. If he never does, that is on him. This is certainly not a revenge thing, I just want accountability. Human decency is important in this case, we don’t just hit animals and drive on. It has been such a terrible shock and I’m still grieving, trying to process what happened. It has been a dreadful time for me and Rocky’s brother, Sherlock.”

Nightingale said she’s had to purchase a pheromone collar for Rocky’s sibling, to help with his confusion.

“My cats were always indoor cats. I used to live on the Durban beachfront but, when I moved to Durban North, I had a little garden for them to roam. I would never leave them out at night but, during the summer, I would let them out at about 04:30 in the morning and put them back indoors by 06:30. This particular morning I don’t understand what happened, or what led to Rocky straying onto Adelaide Tambo Drive.

“If it wasn’t for the kindness of strangers, who moved Rocky off the road after he was killed, I would’ve found him just hours later as I live mere metres from where the accident took place. I also want motorists and visitors to the area to be aware that the speed limit on the road is 60km/h. I see speed limits being broken on a daily basis and my mind goes ‘what if this had been a young child or a pedestrian who could’ve been injured or worse?’. With a big vervet monkey population that lives in Virginia Bush nearby, I just want people to be aware that you are driving in a suburban area,” Nightingale said.

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She has contacted Durban North SAPS and opened an incident report.

The local resident has since put up a cross where the accident took place, as a tribute to Rocky.

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