Wildlife Under Fire: Spike in Brutal Catapult Attacks Shocks UK Communities
Animal welfare campaigners are sounding the alarm over a shocking rise in catapult assaults on wildlife. New leaflets reveal brutal injuries and deaths inflicted on birds and mammals in residential areas nationwide.
Deadly Projectiles Target Local Wildlife
The Greenwich Wildlife Network leads the campaign, exposing how metal ball bearings and other high-speed projectiles are wreaking havoc on urban wildlife. Victims include pigeons and waterfowl suffering catastrophic, often fatal wounds.
WARNING: Graphic images of injured animals are featured in the campaign materials.
‘End Catapult Cruelty’ Campaign Hits Back
Leaflets distributed across affected areas showcase graphic photos of wounded wildlife alongside recovered ammunition believed to be fired from handheld catapults. Campaigners warn these attacks are not isolated, calling out recurring “hotspots” where wildlife faces continual abuse.
Catapult Attacks: A Criminal Offence
The campaign stresses that firing at wild animals with catapults breaks both the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Animal Welfare Act. Police urge residents to take such attacks seriously and report them immediately.
- If you witness an attack, call 999 – it’s a crime in action.
- For non-emergencies, report via 101 or online through the Metropolitan Police or Kent Police, depending on your area.
“People must not dismiss these attacks as minor vandalism,” the leaflet warns. “A metal projectile fired at speed can be as lethal as any weapon.”
The campaign is calling for greater awareness and stronger action to protect vulnerable wildlife from these cruel assaults.
