Pet owners warned of air rifle threat

Research carried out by the RSPCA showed that 799 reports of animals being shot using air rifles were received by its officers nationally in 2012 — leaving hundreds of devastated pet owners.

And figures for the first six months of 2013 indicate that the problem is increasing, with 438 reports of pet shootings already reaching the animal welfare charity.

Sonia Temple (62), of Hague Avenue, Rawmarsh, was devastated when her cat returned from a walk in nearby Birch Wood covered in blood after being shot in April.

She said: “My granddaughter was there and rushed to Thomas when he returned to the garden.

“It was so traumatic when we realised what had happened.

“I don’t know why anyone would commit such a vile, mindless act.

“Hearing that incidents like this are on the rise makes you question the society we live in. It’s truly awful.”

Thomas the Tom cat was rushed to the vets after he was shot and scans revealed an air rifle pellet lodged in his skull, which was impossible to remove.

Despite appearing to be at death’s door and being blinded in the attack, the resilient 20-year-old survived.

Sonia said: “You never would have thought it. He was at death’s door.”

Julie Denton was not so lucky when her cat was shot.

The 46-year-old, of Haigh Moor Way, Swallownest, was horrified after she discovered the lifeless body of seven-year-old pet Jake at the bottom of her garden last May.

Heartbroken Julie said: “It’s knocked us all for six.

“Was it one of our neighbours leaning out of the window with an air rifle taking a pot shot or someone just walking through the estate with a gun during the night? Either way, it’s worrying.”

An RSPCA spokeswoman said that the majority of reported air rifle shootings involved wild birds, but cats were the second most targeted animal.

The South Yorkshire region had the third highest incident of shootings out of a list of 15 midland regions, with a total of 36 in 2012.

James Yeates, chief veterinary officer at the RSPCA said:  “Cats and wildlife are often the target of air rifle attacks, simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them.   

“The fact that we have received almost 800 reports of injured animals is deeply worrying and shows we still need to keep up our work to stop such attacks.”

Laws dictate that it is illegal to shoot at and cause unnecessary suffering to any domestic animal with an air weapon and air-powered weapons may only be used by 14 to 17-year-olds in public places if they are supervised.

Under 14s can only use air weapons under supervision on private premises.

To report any incident of suspected animal cruelty to the RSPCA call 0300 123 4999.