RSPCA calls for a legal loophole to close - to prevent animals from being hurt by airsoft guns
The RSPCA has seen an increase in animals being targeted
The RSPCA wants a loophole in the law closed - to prevent airsoft guns from being used by people under the age of 18 on private land in Suffolk
The charity says it's a 'recipe for disaster' to leave potentially deadly firearms in the hands of young people - earlier this week we heard there have been 13 incidents of wildlife and pets being harmed with weapons across Suffolk since 2020.
The RSPCA also told us they have even seen farm animals being attacked as well.
The report from the RSPCA reveals "air guns and rifles were responsible for the bulk of the incidents, with 658 reports made to the charity.
"Weapons such as catapults and slingshots accounted for a combined 124 incidents while there were 34 calls to the RSPCA about crossbow incidents."
The RSPCA also wanted to make it clear, these figures are from the attacks that have been reported on and that the number could be much higher when considering the attacks they don't know about.
Warning! Some people may find the following images distressing.
Air Soft Pellets found in animals
Air Soft Pellets found in animals
Raising Awareness
The RSPCA is hoping to raise awareness of what is going on to prevent more animals from suffering.
Geoff Edmond from the charity, works on the front lines, and he told it can be a very difficult and challenging job.
"It's really unnecessary. It really is horrendous cruelty that we're seeing...
" We see this tremendous suffering, you just think it could have been avoided.
"We’re a nation of animal lovers- we're supposed to care about animals, and I know a lot of us do.
"And that's why we want the public to report anything suspicious that they see."
Geoff also expressed his concern over the idea that the people responsible for using these weapons against animals are doing it for fun.
Not only this but it could have an impact on the eco system. Geoff told us that if an animal dies from its injuries, it could be leaving behind it's young, which are then left defenceless.
Wildlife Crime
The RSPCA is working with organisations across the country to do with all aspects of
We're working closely with, rather than wildlife crime change across the country to do with all aspects of animal welfare and cruelty to raise awareness.
They are also involved in a joint investigation with the police as they are concerned that people are "indiscriminately using weapons" (crossbows, rifles, catapults)
If someone is caught hurting an animal they can be taken to court for prosecution and even receive jail time.