1st July 2009

Fears Of Summer Soar In Air Gun Attacks

Read more: Charity Health Loss | Comments (0)

Hundreds of animals are suffering slow and agonising deaths every year due to the ruthless actions of airgun users, reveals the RSPCA.

Every summer, the Society is bombarded with calls from the public reporting cases of animals that have been seriously injured or killed after being deliberately shot by an air gun.

The vast majority of calls from the public voicing concerns about air gun attacks are received during the school holidays and the lighter summer evenings and the RSPCA is bracing itself for another influx of calls in the coming months.

Already this year, the charity has been inundated with more than 300 calls about air gun attacks and dealt with some horrific cases of animals being seriously injured in these mindless attacks.

Last year, the RSPCA dealt with a total of 759 animals who had been affected by the improper use of airguns and in the period 2005-2008, nearly 2,000 calls were received with people voicing their concerns.

However it believes that the actual number of cases may be much higher as many injured animals will look for a well-wooded or sheltered area in which to die so the RSPCA may not be contacted.

Animals such as cats and wild birds are sadly the usual targets for these callous acts but the offence all too frequently extends to dogs, fish and even horses.

The RSPCA’s chief veterinary officer Steve Cheetham said, “Unfortunately, we do see far too many cases of injuries inflicted by air guns every year. Many of these injuries are fatal but even those animals who are lucky enough to survive can have their quality of life significantly reduced.

“It is very distressing to think that people take pleasure in causing such horrific injuries to defenceless animals. These are deliberate acts of cruelty and I would appeal to people’s consciences not to commit such an atrocious offence.”

The RSPCA is reminding parents and teenagers of the penalties faced if caught deliberately using an air gun to injure an animal. Under the Animal Welfare Act, those causing unnecessary suffering to animals face a £20,000 fine and/or up to six months in prison.

It is also illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to be in possession of an airgun without supervision under the Violent Crime Reduction Bill 2006.

The RSPCA is called upon in many cases when animals have been deliberately wounded by air gun pellets. Here are just some of the tragic tales so far this year.

A cat nearly lost its sight after being shot in the head in a close-range attack in Cheadle in March. Vets initially thought that Black Jack had been in a fight but an x-ray revealed a air gun pellet wedged behind his eye. Vets thought it was too dangerous to operate on the poor pet and his owners were left uncertain over whether Black Jack would end up going blind. Owner Mark Copp said, “I cannot believe anyone would want to do this, Black Jack is such a friendly cat, he would go to anyone for a pat. There really are some sick people in this world.”

In Farnborough, Hampshire, a cat called Stanley was shot in the chest with an airgun, which narrowly missed his ribs. He had to undergo an operation to remove the pellet and was put on a course of antibiotics. Thankfully Stanley made a full recovery but his family was left distressed and shaken by the incident.

An eight-month-old tabby cat called Dylan was left without a leg after being shot with an air gun while he sat on the window ledge outside his home in Reading, Berkshire. His injury was so severe that he had to have his front right leg amputated.

Two-year-old Rosie lost a leg after being attacked with an air gun. The bullet had lodged itself too close to the joint for it to be removed safely so there was no alternative but to amputate. The attack has left the owners concerned for the welfare of their two other cats. Owner Amanda Dick from Chiddingfold, Surrey, said, “To shoot any animal and cause it pain is simply unfair – it’s unfair to Rosie and it’s unfair to me and my family.”

Ginge the cat from Cardigan had his leg shattered by an air gun pellet and was forced to have an amputation in what his owners called a “disgusting and cruel” attack. Vets initially thought his leg was broken but an x ray revealed the savage reality of his injuries. Two cats were shot in the same street, leaving one with a paralysed tail, in Rutland. Smokie managed to drag himself into owner Janet Short’s kitchen following the attack which action, vets say, saved his life. If he had not been treated immediately, the attack could have been fatal.

A male swan was shot dead with a single shot to the neck and his mate was shot in the head in a spate of attacks on a Wolverhampton canal. This was the second attack on swans in the area after nine pellets had been fired into a swan only weeks earlier. Although she survived, she was not released back into the same area.

Anyone who witnesses an attack can report it by calling to RSPCA 24-hour cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999.

So that you know when you are able to report inappropriate use of air guns, here’s a summary of the current law.

Under the Firearms Act 1968, as amended by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 it is an offence to have an air weapon, loaded or not, in a public place without a reasonable excuse.

It is an offence for a person under the age of 18 to have with him an air gun or ammunition for an air gun unless he/she:

Is under the supervision of a person ages 21 or more or

Is a member of an approved shooting club and is using the air weapon for target shooting or

Is using the air weapon at a shooting gallery or

Has the air weapon on private premises with the consent of the occupier.

It is an offence for anyone of any age to fire an air weapon beyond the boundary of premises.

It is an offence to sell, hire give or part with possession of an air weapon to a person under 18.

• 
•