PETS killed on Dudley's roads will be collected, identified and their owners notified by the Highways Agency following a successful campaign.

The agency had previously decided to axe identity checks in a number of regions, including the West Midlands.

More than 122,000 people signed an online petition, calling for the microchip checks to be reinstated following the Harvey's Law campaign - inspired by Jude Devine, from Sheffield, who found out that her dog Harvey had died four months after his body was found on the M62.

Dudley North MP Ian Austin was outraged that people in Dudley may never be told if their family pet had been killed on the roads and gave local campaigners his full support.

Speaking during a debate in Parliament on Monday, Mr Austin called for identity checks to be reinstated across the country: "None of my constituents’ pets will be scanned in the event of such a tragedy, but checks are still taking place in other parts of the country such as Cornwall and Devon.

"We need to do this for everybody."

Stourbridge MP Margot James also backed the campaign, adding: "I lost a dog on the road when I was a child—a Great Dane called Max. I have never forgotten him, but at least we knew within 24 hours or less, which saved a lot of additional heartache.

“Pets, especially dogs and cats, are part of the family. That is the most important reason to get this matter rectified with the national Highways Agency and other relevant authorities.”

Transport Minister John Hayes has now announced that with immediate effect, the Highways Agency would ensure that pets killed on roads were collected, scanned and where possible, their owners notified - although no new legislation has been promised.

Mr Austin said: "This is brilliant news for local campaigners and shows what we can achieve when we work together."