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Rise in cats being shot by airguns |
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Written by MyPetFriends
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Saturday, 16 February 2008 |
 It’s hard to understand why someone might want to shoot a cat with an airgun, but the RSPCA are finding that such incidents over the last year have nearly doubled. These are alarming statistics, especially as new laws over airgun ownership and use came into force last October.
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In 2006, the RSPCA investigated around 350 reports of cats being shot by airguns; in 2007 this was closer to 500. Reports are increasingly being reported in the local and national press - over the last week Theo, a tabby cat belonging to Kathryn Grant in Nottingham was nearly killed when it was shot in the stomach and Nicola Kirby found a cat that was shot in the head and left for dead on a football field in Sunderland as she walked her dog Becks.
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Airgun pellets are very destructive, if the pellet doesn’t instantly kill the cat it can leave them in extreme agony and result in them dying a slow death if they are unable to return to their owners. One pellet can shatter a cats femur – the though bone.
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The RSPCA urge people to call the police or the RSPCA if they see such behaviour or cruelty. Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering or intentional harm to an animal could face 6 months in prison or a £20,000 fine.
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