The scourge of airgun attacks on animals across the north, in which many domestic pets and wild birds are being maimed or killed, is causing grave concern to the RSPCA.
Rarely a week goes by without the RSPCA receiving a call about animals that have been deliberately targeted in sickening attacks, which all too often leave them dead or fighting for their lives.
On Wednesday 20 February the Society is launched a regional campaign to raise awareness of the dangers air guns pose and halt their widespread abuse of animals in the north.
The most common targets are cats, wild birds and water birds although wild mammals and dogs are also regularly killed or injured by air guns.
In 2007, the north region received:
- A total of 197 calls regarding air gun incidents
- Seventy-six calls regarding injured cats
- Fifty-five calls about wild birds that had been shot
- Twenty-two calls about injured water birds
- Twenty-one calls about injured dogs
- Sixteen calls concerning shot wild mammals
- At least five calls a month during the year regarding an injured animal
- Thirty calls in May alone, making it the worst month for attacks overall
Regional superintendent David Millard said: “Mindless airgun attacks on pets and wildlife is a serious and worsening problem. Our figures only provide a snapshot of this issue as many more animals are suffering needless pain and death that we are unaware of. Air pellet entry wounds are especially difficult to detect by the untrained eye and, sadly, not all incidents are reported to us or witnessed.
“We are now appealing to the public to help prevent unnecessary suffering to countless animals by reporting any witnessed incidents to us or the police. We can then do everything in our power to prosecute the individuals responsible which may, in turn, deter any others.
“Also, we would like to remind people that the law has changed, and it is now illegal for anyone under 18-years-old to have an airgun in their possession without supervision. We’re appealing to parents not to buy their child an airgun unless they are prepared and willing to supervise them at all times.”
Comments