Children who film themselves using catapults to kill and torture animals will grow up feeling “huge residual guilt”, a behavioral psychologist has warned.
This is after sky news UK-wide network exposed Some of the children, some of primary school age, shared videos and photos of their killings in groups on WhatsApp.
WARNING: This story contains images and descriptions that readers may find distressing
talking Britain Tonight by Sarah-Jane MeeBehavioral psychologist Joe Hemmings said this could have lasting effects on the children involved.
A photo of a catapult and a knife was shared in a WhatsApp group
“Unless they [the children] If there were genuine psychotic or antisocial tendencies, they would stop.
“But where does that leave them… [is] Huge residual guilt.
“They will remember this. Children will remember this cruelty to animals for the rest of their lives.”
She placed the blame squarely on those who lead or influence the groups, who she said are likely older than many of the participants.
She said: “What they did to these young children is appalling and when they realize what happened and how they were affected they will not be able to forget it.”
“This was organized cruelty. There was a deliberate sorting of who would be older and who would bring younger children in for entertainment and the children were lured in.
“It’s like groupthink – you give up your own morals or morals to be part of the group. You’re showing off, you’re comparing your kills to each other.
“These young kids are being brought into this division.”
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Sky News discovered nearly 500 members of the Catapult group on WhatsApp, who shared more than 350 photos and videos of animals killed or injured by weapons.
In some videos, injured animals are slowly dying after being shot with hand-held catapults.
Elsewhere, young men kicked and abused animals after shooting them and posing with their bodies.
Rabbit poses with catapult
A photo of a squirrel apparently killed by a catapult is shared
The RSPCA described the material from these groups as “horrifying” and warned it was an “emerging trend”.
The “sick” attacks have prompted calls for a change in the law, as catapults are not illegal weapons and can be purchased and carried legally.
Target animals include pigs, deer, pigeons, foxes, squirrels, pheasants, rabbits, geese and ducks – with a charity saying the number of birds injured by catapults has risen “exponentially”.
WhatsApp said the material shared in the Catapult group violated its terms of use.
A spokesperson for the messaging app told Sky News: “We respond to law enforcement requests in accordance with applicable laws and policies.”
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