Help please - sons cat been shot twice in last week...

olias

This is exactly what I was saying may happen. The 'desk officer' was most likely a civilian, or a junior PC. A crime has been committed. Technically a cat is property and therefore there is an offence of criminal damage, as well as an offence of animal cruelty, and most likely an offence concerning the airgun and it's use in a public place, most likely by a juvenile.

If it was me, personally, I would write a strongly worded letter to the area inspector, pointing out the above and also the potential risks to persons, as well as the anti social behavior aspect. I would express my dissappointment with the response I had received at the front desk, and ask that the matter be taken more seriously as per the governments directive on anti social behaviour.

It's coppers (civilian police workers) like that that give the service a bad name.

Olias

meritaten

that is a good suggestion olias, I will draft out a letter and find out who to send it to. or on second thoughts, my SIL knows a number of police officers in the area including the chief constable and she is a great animal lover - may email her and ask what would be the best approach! thanks, I wouldnt have thought of it without you!

hippy-chicy

Good luck with it. Be persistant, it could be a child next time.
There is a tragic story on cat chat about a little cat that was shot in the spine by a pellet gun.... its just awful.

I am shocked that the RSPCA were not more helpful, i thought they of all people would want to be a bit more pro-active.

Some people make me sick...the more i hear about people the more i like animals.

timmmers

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

i agree with above posters! but to say a pellet gun is a firearm your mistaken its not and is classed under a different law to firearms!

airrifles do not require a licence under 12lb pressure,
Firearms have different amunition different lbs pressure above 12 and rerquire a licence.

airrifles have age restrictions to that of:

you must be of 14yrs old to fire one with a responsable adult over the age of 21.

you have to be 18 yrs old to pruchase one with photo ID.

under no curmstances shall the airifle be transported covered in a slip bag or not in the streets, for transportation you must use a vehicle to have it repaired, filled, serviced, anyone in breach of this rule can have their airrifle taken from them covered or not!

not to shoot near houses,bridal paths, lanes, carriage ways, conservation areas,national parks etc to the distance of 250 meters.

because the law see's airrifles differently to firearms there would be a hard job getting them interested in coming out unless the perp' was identified and whitnessed having this in his possesion. then will only rofl harris and his team come out with a film crew coupled with an RSPCA inspector.

so no its not a firearms offence! sorry!

This is illegal, a kid down the road was fined for it and wasn't shooting cats, just a target in the garden which bounced into someone elses from time to time.

Air rifles are not allowed to be shot close to public areas as highlighted, and the police wil see no difference to a firearm if someone gets hurt. Cats may be ignored a little but next time you need to stress that it could be a child or anyone injured. Whoever is doing this cares little for laws or cruelty caused to others after all.

RSPCA will bring in police for sure, but maybe best to do a little detective work prior to get an idea of the area and person involved. Maybe asking kids will find who is likely? Grumpy gardeners have sometimes an axe to grind too.

Lucky cat not to have lost an eye, I hope you find this idiot and that the cat is recovering from it's injury OK.

t

cyberbob

Speak to your local Newspaper. I'm sure they would be interested that the police are not investigating an incident that if repeated could involve a child being injured

Justicia

hippy-chicy wrote: »

I am shocked that the RSPCA were not more helpful, i thought they of all people would want to be a bit more pro-active.

I suspect the situation would have been different had there been a film crew present...

Having had experience working directly alongside elements of the RSPCA, this response is not a surprise TBH.

Justicia

cyberbob wrote: »

Speak to your local Newspaper. I'm sure they would be interested that the police are not investigating an incident that if repeated could involve a child being injured

Agree - also would get the message out to other cat/animal owners in the area to keep an eye out...