The Harvey's Law campaign forced the Government to act

Harvey’s Law campaign and its e-petition was about putting back into place the requirement for the Highways Agency and its contractors to identify and record domestic animals killed on the strategic road network. This process was being phased out as part of Treasury austerity measures when new contracts were being issued. This was despite the fact that it will be compulsory for all dogs to microchipped from April 2016.

The campaign was inspired by the owner of Harvey who was not informed that her dog had died until four months after he had been killed on the M62 and had spent thousands of pounds trying to find Harvey. In the end, she only discovered his fate by chance through Facebook.

We know how important pets are to their owners and the love and affection they have for them, there is much distress and heartache when they die. Not knowing the fate of your pet if it goes missing is particularly distressing.

What followed was an interesting exercise in democracy. A constituent, who was part of the campaign came to see me at my advice surgery last summer and asked for my support. I wrote to the Minister but he confirmed the measures were being phased out but would keep it under review. This was very disappointing but the campaign gained momentum, assisted by social media and the petition eventually reached 120,000 names, meaning it would be considered by the Backbench Business Committee. It had support from MP’s on both sides of the House - the campaigners had been traveling the country meeting MP’s at their Surgeries gathering support.

I appeared before the Backbench Business Committee who were very supportive and allocated time in Westminster Hall on Monday. It was well debated with very good contributions from colleagues.

What followed delighted MP’s and the packed public gallery when John Hayes, the Transport Minister reversed his previous policy telling members first, that new contracts will make scanning mandatory, with no delay.

Secondly, that a review will apply to existing contracts and the Minister will write to all Members present with a timetable, which will be placed in the House of Commons Library; and thirdly, that the requirements will be extended to cats.

Finally, the Minister announced that he intended to communicate with all local highways authorities to draw their attention to the Governments position and invite them to reflect on their own local policy.

So, an example how a policy can be changed through a well thought out campaign, with MP’s listening and working with constituents.