A MANIFESTO seeking tighter regulations on the licensing of airguns has been launched in the Commons to help combat the number of attacks on cats.

According to a British Veterinary Association survey, four in 10 vets have seen cats with airgun injuries in the last year, with many of these animals seriously injured as well as dying from their wounds.

The latest Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey asked companion animal vets if they had seen any cats brought to them with airgun or crossbow injuries in the last twelve months. 41% said they had seen cats with airgun injuries. 1% had seen cats with crossbow injuries.

The survey results come as Cats Protection launched its Manifesto for Cats in the Commons on Tuesday, which seeks amongst other measures tighter regulations on the licensing of airguns . This coincides with the recent launch of BVA’s General Election manifesto that calls for better animal enforcement of animal welfare legislation.

Rod Beardshall, veterinary surgeon and clinic director at White Cross Vets in Guiseley, says in the last 10 years he sees a small handful of incidents in a year.

Occasionally, a pellet has been found on an x-ray when a cat has been taken in for treatment for something else but Mr Beardshall says other than educating the public, he believes it is down to the Government to impose tighter regulations on the supply of airguns.

Other vets spoke of how animals had died of their wounds or were severely injured, including fractured limbs that required amputation and injuries to eyes that require enucleation (removal of the eye).

John Blackwell BVA President says: “These findings are distressing for both owners and vets. The frustration of many BVA members who work in small animal practice is clear. Anyone using an airgun, whether they are an adult or child, should be aware of the very serious injuries these weapons inflict and parents should act responsibly when allowing any young person to use or possess an airgun.

“The comments from vets in this survey clearly demonstrate the dreadful suffering that can be inflicted on animals when these weapons are used in the wrong hands, without careful and proper supervision. Whether the perpetrator is an adult or child, it is blatantly wrong to shoot indiscriminately at cats in this way. We urge the police and local authorities to take action where they can and ask all parents to think very carefully about the consequences of allowing their children access to a weapon that can kill someone’s pet and inflict serious injury on animals and humans alike.”

Cats Protection’s Advocacy Manager Jacqui Cuff added: “Cats Protection is always shocked to hear of cats being shot which is why we’re calling for much stricter regulation on the ownership of airguns. We know from our own monitoring of the press last year that nearly five cats a week were reported to have been killed or injured by airguns in the UK – and this is likely to be an underestimate. We also held a three-month consultation to determine what members of the public felt were the most important issues for cat welfare and 98 per cent of those surveyed agreed this is one of them - which is why we’re including this important topic in our Cat Manifesto.”

But it isn't just cats that are bearing the brunt of these callous attacks. Earlier this month Bradford & District RSPCA took in a swan which had been injured in an airgun attack.

The beautiful bird was found by a member of the public under a bridge close to the canalside in the city. It was taken to the Mount Street branch, which has facilities to cater for wildlife, by an animal control officer.

"It was brought in injured, listless and in discomfort," explains branch manager Terry Singh.

He explains the swan had been shot at with an airgun. "The swan still has a pellet lodged inside it which has effected movement in one of its legs. It may need an operation to remove the pellet."

Terry explains that the swan has since been transferred to the RSPCA's main wildlife centre for further treatment.

"Our vets have checked it and have been monitoring and observing it for a while but because of where the injury is, and because it affects its leg, we transferred it to our main centre," says Terry.

He says they have also had cats in the branch with pellet shots and welcomes any legislation which would control the use of air guns.

"It is totally irresponsible behaviour and I think any legislation that is pro-active in stopping irresponsible behaviour has got to be good," says Terry.

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