‘Cruel’ attackers are firing at wild animals using catapults
WILD animals in Essex are being targeted by people firing ball bearings and other shots at them with catapults, police have said.
Officers say there is a “disturbing” trend for wildlife such as foxes, otters, pigeons and swans to be hit with missiles, causing serious injuries.
PC Jed Raven, Essex Police’s wildlife crime and heritage officer, said that there has been a rise in reports of people firing catapults at wild animals and birds in urban areas and country parks with metal ball bearings or bits of shot.
Foxes, otters and other mammals, as well as pigeons, swans and other waterfowl, can be targets.
PC Raven is the national police lead for Operation Lakeshot, which focuses on education and preventing re-offending as well as detection and bringing offenders to justice.
He said: “Some people think it’s just a bit of harmless fun but the animal or bird they hit could suffer a long and painful death as a result.
“Causing any creature pain and suffering is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
“The vast majority of people simply want to get out and enjoy nature but a small minority just want to hurt things.
“It’s not just catapults, people sometimes target wildlife with air weapons and crossbows. But any way you look at it, it’s dangerous and it is cruel. And animal cruelty can be a precursor to more serious crimes.”
Officers have been working with community groups along with the Essex Wildlife Trust and wildlife hospitals to identify offenders. Nationally, the RSPCA, the RSPB, the Environment Agency, the Metropolitan Police and the Angling Trust are involved with Operation Lakeshot.
PC Raven said: “Anyone who walks in or patrols our parks and towns are our eyes and ears.
PC Jed Raven
“We need you to tell us what you know.
“We identified this trend because people were reporting incidents to us and the RSPCA.
“If you don’t tell us, we can’t act. You can report information and incidents to us online via www. essex.police.uk/ro but, if it’s a crime in progress or there’s a danger to public safety, ring 999.”
Essex Police said as well as their usual policing powers to combat crime and antisocial behaviour, police officers have additional search powers under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to look for weapons and other evidence if someone is suspected of having committed an offence under the act.
It’s not just catapults,
people sometimes target wildlife with air weapons and crossbows.