Campaigners have won Government backing in their fight for a change in the law so that people will be told if their pets are killed on the roads.

More than 120,000 people have signed a petition launched after Jude Devine’s poodle, Harvey, disappeared during a visit to friends in Liverpool in 2013.

The teacher reportedly spent more than £8,000 distributing leaflets and stayed in a caravan so she could search the area.

But in February last year a ‘highway patrol officer’ told her on Facebook that Harvey had been found dead on the M62 a mere 20 minutes after vanishing.

An amazing 122,150 people have signed the petition calling for the creation of ‘Harvey’s Law’ so other owners are spared such heartbreak.

They want the Highways Agency to be forced to:

• Scan all domestic animals retrieved from the roads;
• Log reports and circulate these to police and dog wardens;
• Keep photographs of the deceased animals to help with identification.

Campaigners were concerned that from April next year owners will face fines if their pets are not fitted with a microchip but the Highways Agency was not required to tell them if their dog is found dead.

The petition states: “Imagine the heartache, frustration and distress caused because of inadequate and unenforced procedures. There are numerous documented occasions where people’s pets have been shamelessly discarded without consideration, respect or compassion for the owners rights.”

The bodies of dead pets are normally kept in cold storage for seven days. Because Harvey was not claimed he was cremated.

Since 2012, it has not been compulsory for Highways Agency staff to scan collars and trace owners.

Halton MP Derek Twigg secured a Westminster Hall debate to put pressure on the Government and praised local campaigners who are pushing for a change in the law, saying it was a “great example of how democracy in action can work”.

He said: “The loss of a pet is traumatic for all concerned... The fact is well over 100,000 people have signed the petition.

“I think that shows the extent of concern about this issue.”

Transport minister John Hayes had good news for the campaigners when he responded to Mr Twigg, saying that new contracts will make scanning mandatory – and he wants to “retrofit” existing contracts.

He said: “I think we need to act immediately on this. I don’t want any further delay...

“This is a straightforward matter... I just want to get on with it.”

Announcing his plans, he said: “I have therefore asked the Highways Agency to ensure that indeed they do collect [and] identify every animal that is killed and contact the owners by whatever practicable means...

“I want this to be mandatory and it will be.”