The RSPCA has issued an urgent warning to cat owners to be extra vigilant after new figures revealed that felines are increasingly being targeted with air guns. Last year, such attacks on cats had risen by 30% in England and Wales, with 70 incidents flagged to the RSPCA compared to 54 in 2023, according to the animal charity.
It said there was a “worrying upward trend” of cats also being attacked with other weapons, including catapults and crossbows. Calling the attacks “horrific” RSPCA wildlife partnerships manager Geoff Edmond said what they are “only the tip of the iceberg”. He added that while these attacks are being done “presumably for ‘laughs’, they cause “suffering” for animals.
Ronnie, a black rescue cat from Liverpool, was found screaming in pain after being found with five air gun pellets in him in June. He had been missing from his home for two days.
Whilst Nala who was shot in the back with an air rifle in Mosterton in Dorset in June. It caused a fracture to a vertebrae and left her unable to use her back left leg.
Mr Edmond said: “Weapon attacks on animals are horrific, but what we see is likely only the tip of the iceberg.
“There’s huge concern about the growing incidents of catapult attacks on wild birds such as swans, but air guns remain by far the most likely weapon to be used on an animal.
“It is unspeakably cruel and totally unacceptable to shoot animals for ‘fun’ – or to harm them for target practice, but sadly we’ve received nearly 500 reports about all kinds of weapon attacks on animals over the past three years.
“While most people will be appalled by animals being attacked in this way, sadly the RSPCA’s experience shows that some deliberately target wildlife, pets and farm animals with guns, catapults and crossbows – presumably for ‘laughs’. But these weapons cause horrific pain and suffering.”
The charity has released the figures to raise awareness of its summer cruelty appeal, as it said attacks on animals are reported more at this time of year than any other.
Overall, Kent is the hotspot with the county seeing the highest number of animals being attacked with weapons in the UK.
Between 2022 and 2024, there were 32 incidents in Kent of animals being attacked with air guns, catapults and crossbows. Coming second is Greater London with 31.
Incidents of weapon attacks on animals (2022-2024)
Kent – 32
Greater London – 31
Durham – 20
Essex – 18
Cheshire, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands – 16 each
Greater Manchester, Somerset, West Yorkshire – 15 each
South Yorkshire, Staffordshire – 14 each
Lancashire, Merseyside – 12 each
Berkshire, Cambridgeshire – 11 each
Dorset, Shropshire, Tyne & Wear – 10 each