An MP has asked the Home Secretary to consider imposing sanctions on irresponsible sales or the use of catapults to kill or harm wildlife following a Sky News investigation.

that report UK-wide network exposed Some of the children, some of primary school age, shared videos and photos of their killings in WhatsApp groups.

WARNING: This story contains images and descriptions that readers may find distressing.

While it is not illegal to buy or carry a catapult, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offense under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which protects wild birds and some animals in England and Wales, also lists weapons that must not be used to kill animals. However, catapults are not included in this list.

Henry Smith MP, deputy chair of the all-party parliamentary group on animal welfare, asked in the House of Commons on Thursday whether Home Secretary James Cleverly would consider changing the law.

He said: “In recent weeks I have been working with Sky News to investigate the purchase and misuse of catapults by children and young people to kill and maim wild animals and pets.”

“And a lot of times, videos [of these incidents] Share on social media through channels like WhatsApp.

“Can the Home Secretary make a statement on criminal sanctions for the irresponsible sale and use of catapults to kill and damage wildlife?”

Leader of the House, MP Penny Mordant, said she would make Mr Cleverley aware of the issue.

“This is a disturbing and growing phenomenon,” she said.

“As we now know, as well as causing animal suffering, it is indicative of what these offenders may have gone on to do and what other crimes they may have committed.

“This is a serious matter and I thank the honorable gentleman for raising this issue.”

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.

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In some videos, injured animals are slowly dying after being shot with hand-held catapults.

Elsewhere, young men were seen kicking and torturing animals after shooting them and posing with their bodies.

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.”

Sky News has contacted the Home Office for comment.