RSPCA Warns of 30% Surge in Air Gun Attacks on Cats in US
An alarming trend calls for action: cats across England and Wales face a sharp jump in cruelty, with air guns and catapults now common threats. U.S. pet owners may think this is far away, but the warning rings close to home. Let’s take it seriously.
Surge in Air Gun Attacks on Cats
Recent data from the RSPCA shows a 30 percent rise in reported air-gun attacks on cats, climbing to 70 incidents in 2024 from 54 in 2023. That jump raises a real alarm, not just overseas, but here too, as air-gun cruelty stories increasingly make headlines.
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Timeline of Rising Threats (2022–2024)
2022: Reports of weapon attacks—including air guns, catapults, and crossbows- began drawing concern. The RSPCA logged the initial wave of incidents affecting pets, wild birds, and mammals.
2023: Weapons-related cruelty increased. That year, 54 air-gun attacks on cats were reported. Across all animal types, hundreds of similar cases cropped up, showing no signs of slowing.
2024: Alarming growth. Air-gun attacks on cats rose 30 percent to 70 reports. Between 2022 and 2024, the RSPCA received nearly 500 reports involving air guns, catapults, or crossbows across various species.
This three-year arc underlines a mounting issue. The jump from dozens to nearly a hundred instances of feline suffering reveals a rapid escalation and a pattern that every community should take note of.
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Weapon-Related Harm by Region and Species
RSPCA data shows regional hotspots and targeted victims:
- By Location (2022–2024):
- Kent: 32 incidents
- Greater London: 31
- Key counts also in Durham (20), Essex (18), Cheshire, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands (16 each), among others.
- By Victim:
- Wild birds were the most targeted (545 incidents).
- Cats followed with 193 reported cases.
- Wild mammals and dogs comprised the rest of the toll.
Real-Life Cases That Shock
One cat, Nala from Dorset, suffered a fractured vertebra after being shot in the back with an air rifle. She lost use of her left back leg. Another case: Ronnie, a rescued black cat from Liverpool, came home two days after vanishing—with five air-gun pellets lodged in him, screaming in pain.
There’s also the tragic story of a wild bird, a woodpigeon in Essex, put to sleep after a catapult pellet crushed its wing. In Kent, a moorhen and a goose both suffered fatal injuries from ball bearings.
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Why People Misunderstand Dangerous Trends
Many believe weapon attacks on animals happen only in remote or rural zones. But these crimes spread across regions, and the RSPCA notes that what’s reported may only be “the tip of the iceberg.” Too often, people dismiss such acts as pranks, but the pain and loss animals endure is anything but a joke.
What Experts Advise U.S. Pet Owners
Stay Watchful
Even though this data comes from the U.K., it shows how cruelty can become more common quickly. Keep an eye on your pets when they’re outside, especially unsupervised.
Report Suspected Abuse
In the U.S., contact your local humane society, animal control, or police if you suspect weapon-related harm to pets or wildlife.
Support Prevention Efforts
Organizations such as the Humane Society and ASPCA run awareness campaigns, especially during summer, when animal cruelty reports tend to spike. Contributing to these efforts helps protect animals and change harmful behaviors.
Work with Law Enforcement
Projects like Operation Lakeshot in the U.K., created by Essex and Metropolitan Police, aim to stop weapon-related crimes against animals. U.S. communities could push for similar initiatives that raise penalties and hold offenders accountable.
Dogsandcatsy Opinion
It’s hard not to feel shaken reading about Nala and Ronnie. These stories remind us that cruelty can hide behind an air gun’s harmless appearance. As a pet lover, I believe U.S. pet owners should treat this news as a wake-up call—not just for vigilance, but to urge stronger local protections. Every pet deserves safety and kindness.
