AN ANIMAL charity is warning cat owners to be extra-vigilant this summer after new figures suggest felines are being increasingly targeted in deliberate weapon attacks – with the nation’s wildlife also in the firing line.
Data released by the RSPCA reveals that the number of cats shot with an air gun, catapult/slingshot or crossbow has more than doubled in the first six months of this year (44), compared to the same period in 2023 (18) across the country.
The warning comes as the RSPCA’s ‘No Animal Deserves Cruelty’ summer campaign continues to raise vital funds supporting the charity’s work to tackle animal cruelty.
Crossbows are the weapon which has seen the biggest increase in its use in attacks, with 11 incidents in 2023, compared to seven in 2022. Catapult/slingshot incidents also show an upward trend (27 to 28).
The charity’s data reveals that between 2020 and 2023, there have been a total of 896 incidents reported to the RSPCA involving weapons affecting all types of animals.
The West Midlands had 36 incidents in the same period – the third highest in the country behind Kent with 61 incidents and Greater London with 52.
With the RSPCA receiving more reports of cruelty in summer than at any other time of year, the charity has released the heartbreaking figures as part of the No Animal Deserves Cruelty Appeal.
RSPCA lead wildlife officer, Geoff Edmond, said: “These weapon attacks are horrific, but what we see is likely only the tip of the iceberg.
“It is unspeakably cruel and totally unacceptable to shoot animals for ‘fun’ like this – or to harm them for target practice, but sadly we receive nearly 200 reports every year.
“While most people will be appalled by attacking animals in this way, sadly the RSPCA’s experience shows that there are people out there who are deliberately targeting wildlife, pets and farm animals with guns, catapults and crossbows. These weapons cause horrific pain and suffering.
“But we are doing all we can to change things. As more and more police forces are seeing worrying levels of weapons-related incidents, we are helping to develop Operation Lakeshot, a police-led partnership initiative initially established by Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police, which aims to tackle these worrying crimes against wildlife.”
The charity said between 2022 and 2023, wild birds bore the brunt of weapon attacks, with numbers increasing from 190 to 214.
It added attacks on dogs also increased from 11 to 30 and from six to 32 for farm animals.
