The RSPCA has warned cat owners to be vigilant with their feline friends after new figures revealed an increase in the number of pets being targeted with weapons such as air guns.
New data showed a 30 per cent increase in reported airgun attacks on cats – 70 incidents were filed to the RSPCA in 2024, which has increased from the 54 reported in 2023.
The attacks have affected cats like Ronnie from Liverpool who was found screaming in pain after being shot five times with an air gun in June.
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This warning comes after the RSPCA revealed from 2020-2023, the animal charity received 808 reports relating to animals being intentionally harmed by weapons.
Air guns and rifles were the most used weapons with 658 reports made to the charity, but weapons such as catapults and slingshots accounted for a combined 124 incidents, while 34 calls were made to the RSPCA about crossbow incidents.
Many incidents reported to the charity involved more than one animal being targeted at a time.
Hotspots across the country with the highest reported incidents of animals attacks using weapons were Kent with 56 reports, Greater London with 47 reports and Merseyside which had 35 reports in 2023.
The charity released attack data as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, with the hopes of raising funds to support its frontline rescue teams in continuing to save animals from cruelty and abuse including weapon attacks which are often fatal.
RSPCA national wildlife coordinator, Geoff Edmond, said: “It is unspeakably cruel, totally unacceptable and illegal to shoot animals for ‘fun’ - or as target practice, but sadly our emergency line is receiving hundreds of reports.
“We think of ourselves as a nation of animal lovers, but 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.”
