SHOCKING new statistics have revealed 30 animals have been attacked in the West Midlands in the past three years using lethal weapons including crossbows, air guns, catapults and slingshots.
Between the start of 2020 and May 2023, the RSPCA received 808 reports across the UK of animals being intentionally harmed with a weapon.
The West Midlands was identified as one of six county hotspots where the charity has received the most number of reports.
Kent saw 56 offenders reported, with Greater London, Merseyside, West Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire also identified as hotspots.
Air guns and rifles were responsible for the majority of nationwide incidents, with 658 reports made to the charity.
Catapults and slingshots accounted for a combined 124 incidents.
Meanwhile there were 34 calls to the RSPCA about crossbow attacks.
Many incidents involved more than one animal being targeted and attacked at a time.
Data showed the UK’s under-threat wildlife is the most likely to be attacked, including waterfowl and marine birds, while 262 pet cats and 59 dogs were also targeted over the past three years.
The RSPCA has released the figures as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, which aims to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams to save animals from cruelty and abuse.
RSPCA national wildlife co-ordinator 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 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.
“Day after day, our frontline officers and animal centres see the sickening consequences of weapons being used on animals – severe injuries often leading to death.
“And what we deal with is probably only the tip of the iceberg as not all cases will be reported to the RSPCA directly and there may be situations where animals injured and killed by these weapons are sadly never found.
Visit www.rspca.org.uk/cruelty to help support the RSPCA.
