Cat charity calls for air gun licensing

Macy, who lost her eye after she was shot with an air rifle

Cats Protection is urging the UK’s cat lovers to join a call on the government to introduce air gun licensing in England and Wales.

The government is currently holding a public consultation into air weapon regulation, including licensing, which closes on 6 February, making this the ideal time for cat lovers to make their voices heard by sending an e-mail to the Home Office.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/113131/air-gun-attacks-on-cats-could-fall

An analysis of UK press reports shows that three cats are killed or injured by an air gun each week and this is likely to be an underestimate because most attacks are never witnessed or reported. Over 90 per cent of these shootings take place in England and Wales where it is legal for anyone over 18 to purchase an air gun and ammunition without the need for a licence.

Victims of air gun shootings include Caspar, a black and white cat from Heywood, who was shot near his home last May, and Macy, a black and white rescue cat from Newhey who was shot in the eye last summer.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111604/cat-lovers-urged-to-back-air-rifle-campaign-after-two-attacks-in-rochdale

Attacked just weeks after she was adopted, Macy was found in a neighbouring garden and taken to the local Vets 4 Pets surgery at Kingsway Retail Park.

Practice owner and veterinarian, Amy Day, said: “Macy’s injury was very upsetting to see – her eyeball was completely destroyed and needed to be removed. Macy thankfully recovered from the injury but it could have been so much worse. Shootings of cats and other animals are becoming much more common in our area.”

Caspar’s owner, Amanda Stephens, began campaigning for the air rifles to be regulated after her beloved pet was shot. The Vets4Pets receptionist added: “This is a fantastic and long-awaited breakthrough. Both myself and Caspar are so grateful for everyone’s support so far, but we need everyone to continue supporting us. Sending an email via the Cats Protection form takes just seconds and can help save so many of our beloved pets from these vicious attacks.”

Deliberately injuring an animal with an air rifle carries the threat of at least six months in prison and/or a fine of up to £20,000.

Jacqui Cuff, Cats Protection’s Head of Advocacy & Government Relations said: “Attacks like the one on Macy cause immense pain and suffering to cats as well as anguish for their owners and fear in their local communities for the safety of people and pets.

“This is an unacceptable state of affairs and we want to see England and Wales follow the example of Scotland and Northern Ireland where it is illegal to own air weapons without a licence. Our monitoring of press reports has consistently shown fewest shootings of cats in Northern Ireland who were the first to introduce licensing of air guns and a decline in reports in Scotland since licensing came into force in January 2017.

“If licensing were introduced, we believe it would be easier to track down culprits who use these weapons to inflict harm on cats. We want to ensure that cats in England and Wales are fully protected. Those who have a legitimate reason to purchase, possess and use an air gun will be able to retain ownership and would simply need to apply for a licence.”

“Last year over 90,000 people signed an online and paper Cats Protection petition calling for the licensing of air guns in England and Wales, showing the depth of public feeling on the issue. Our hope is that as many people as possible email the government in support of air gun licensing so that we can make the whole of the UK a safer place for cats, animals and human beings.”

Fill in the form via the link below and follow the steps to send an email directly to the Home Office about air weapons.

The consultation closes on 6 February 2018.

https://cats.e-activist.com/page/17714/action/1