Air gun attacks on cats could fall

Macy was attacked with an air gun earlier this year in Newhey and lost her eye

Air rifle attacks on cats could drastically reduce as air gun licensing is set to be reviewed, leading to a possible change in law.

Home Office minister Nick Hurd announced on Tuesday 10 October that Westminster would review the licensing of air weapons in England and Wales.

Speaking in an adjournment debate in the House of Commons, Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, Mr Hurd said: “I think that this is an appropriate time to take stock of the regulatory position and assess whether the current controls, which are already strong, continue to be appropriate and effective.”

Earlier this year, Rochdale Online reported how staff at Vets4Pets Rochdale were urging cat lovers to back the Cats Protection campaign to change this law after attacks on cats in the Borough.

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

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/1/business-news/112129/staff-at-vets4pets-rochdale-appear-on-north-west-tonight-to-raise-awareness-of-air-gun-attacks-on-cats

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.

Cats Protection says a lack of UK-wide regulation means 90% of air gun attacks on cats happens in England and Wales, with a reported 202 cats in the UK shot with an air gun in 2016.

In 2004, Northern Ireland led the way in restricting gun ownership with anyone who buys, owns or uses an air weapon there now required to have a licence. During this time, Northern Ireland has experienced the lowest incidence of shootings reported in the media compared to other parts of the UK, suggesting the licensing legislation is working. Scotland adopted similar legislation earlier in 2017.

Jacqui Cuff, Cats Protection’s Advocacy Manager, said “Cats Protection welcomes today's announcement. In addition to the terrible human deaths and casualties that have been inflicted by the indiscriminate use of air weapons, many pet cats have been the unfortunate victims of air weapons too.

“We know that many people who own air weapons are pet owners and that they use these weapons responsibly. However, our analysis of UK press reports shows there have been 325 shootings of pet cats since the start of last year which have inflicted death, pain and suffering as well as immense anguish and distress to their owners. These figures are the tip of the iceberg because many attacks on cats are not witnessed or reported.

“More than 90 per cent of these shootings took place in England and Wales where it is currently legal for anyone over 18 to purchase an air weapon without the need for a licence. This is an unacceptable state of affairs which needs to be addressed urgently. We want to see the government at Westminster follow the example of Scotland and Northern Ireland where it is illegal to own air weapons without a licence and where there are fewer reported air weapon attacks on cats. We believe that licensing air weapons in England and Wales will help reduce air weapon injuries to pets and people.

“A Cats Protection petition launched in the spring of this year calling for the licensing of air weapons in England and Wales has already attracted over 72,000 signatures indicating the massive public support for a change in the law. We will be in touch with the Minister’s office about his review of the regulation of air weapons.”

To sign the petition, visit:

www.cats.org.uk/airgunspetition