Each year thousands of animals and birds are injured and killed by adults and youngsters with air weapons, shotguns, and airsoft / bb guns.
Cats are the most numerous victims of these random acts of cruelty, and owners are faced with bills for veterinary treatment. The perpetrators are rarely brought to justice despite the fact that any person who deliberately shoots a domestic pet/other animal may be guilty of the following offences:-
1. Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal (s.4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006)
2. Criminal damage (s.1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1977)
3. Harassment (s.2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997) - if there are two or more incidents.
A free Pet Owners Fact sheet, giving general legal advice regarding prosecution following acts of animal cruelty is published by Gun Control Network at www.gun-control-network.org
RECENT INCIDENTS
A swan was killed when it was shot through the neck with an airgun on a canal near Bottesford, Leicestershire. Killing a swan is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 2001 and carries a maximum £5000 fine and/or six months in jail.
Source:- Melton Times, 19 March 2010
A deer has been shot and killed in park in Hampton Court, south west London. The animal was shot once in the head with a shotgun at point blank range. Police believe the shooting was a poaching attempt gone wrong.
Source: Local Guardian, 11 February 2010
The bodies of two blackbirds were found in a garden in Costessey, Norwich. Their injuries are thought to be consistent with airgun wounds. The RSPCA is appealing for information. It is illegal to kill or injure wild birds.
Source: The Journal (Lowestoft), 9 February 2010
A protected bird of prey has been shot with an airgun on the nature reserve at Upton Heath, Dorset. The buzzard's main wing joint was shattered and it could not be saved.
Source: Daily Echo, 4 February 2010
OTHER INCIDENTS
A horse found with facial wounds in East Preston, Sussex, is believed to have been shot with an air rifle.
Source:- Horse and Hound, 24 March 2010
Injured Buzzard - Wildlives Animal Rescue Centre Nr Colchester are caring for a buzzard which has been shot and injured. Buzzards are a 'protected bird of prey' however, sports shooters and game-keepers are known to dislike buzzards because they prey on species hunted by shooting enthusiasts. For more information on Wildlives Centre click here
DOGS SHOT AND KILLED WITH AIRGUNS
Michael Reed from Rugeley, Staffordshire, shot and killed his neighbour's dog with an air rifle when she strayed on his lawn. He had been drinking at the time of the incident. He has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and been fined £500 and told to pay £500 compensation. The gun was confiscated. He says he does not know why he did it.
Source: The Sun, 5 March 2010
As well as using animals as random target practice there are occasions when guns are used deliberately to shoot pets eg. in neighbour disputes.
For example:-
Phil Bishop, a retired TV executive shot dead his neighbour's dog with a single shot from his air rifle after becoming annoyed at its early morning barking. The dog, Foggy, died minutes later in the arms of its sobbing owner on the way to the vet.
Source:- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1089995/Ex-TV-chief-shot-neighbours-dog-dead-barking-morning.html
A pet greyhound has been shot in fields near Dickets Road, Corsham. The owner and her five year old son were walking the greyhound and their two other pet dogs when two shots were fired. The dog was hit but ran off and was found collapsed a while later. A man in a black balaclava and a grey tracksuit was seen running away. The dog is recovering after veterinary treatment. The five year old boy who witnessed the shooting has been traumatised by the event and has had nightmares. He is afraid to go outside in case he gets shot like his dog.
Source: Wiltshire Times (21.3.09)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU OBSERVE A GUN INCIDENT
Animal Concern Advice Line recommend that anyone witnessing a gun incident should dial 999. This ensures a response.
They also recommend asking police for an incident number and following up reports to find out what happened by quoting this number.
Carrying an uncovered gun, including an airgun, in a public place, or discharging a gun in a public place or near a public highway, is a crime. In these instances Animal Concern Advice Line advise witnesses to tell the police they know a crime has been committed. To see factsheets and find out more about Animal Concern Advice Line click here
Wildlife Crime
Under present law committing wildlife crime cannot be used as a reason for withdrawing a shotgun certificate, and is open to interpretation regarding firearms. Dr. Bill Wilson, SNP www.billwilsonmsp.org has called for a change in the law so that those found guilty of wildlife crime should be regarded as unfit to hold shotguns or firearms.
BB TYPE GUNS ARE USED IN ANIMAL CRUELTY
bb and other similar guns are used in incidents of animal cruelty.
For example:-
A woman was in her garden in Sunbury, Surrey, when she saw a bird shot dead in front of her. The dove was in a nearby tree. As many as three other birds may have been killed in recent weeks. Some shells, possibly containing ball bearings, were found nearby.
Source: Get Surrey, 6 August 2010
