Children are filming themselves using catapults to kill and torture wild animals, and police want the public to help stop attacks on wildlife, a Sky News investigation has revealed.
WARNING: This story contains images and descriptions that readers may find distressing.
Videos and photos of the killings are being shared on UK-wide WhatsApp groups.
In some photos, animals are slowly dying after being shot, while in others, children are seen kicking and torturing animals and posing with their corpses after being shot.
Sky News finds 11 catapult groups on WhatsApp with nearly 500 memberswhich shared more than 350 photos and videos.
Essex Police are now urging people to tackle “a disturbing crime trend that is seeing wildlife being cruelly targeted for fun”.
Wildlife crime officer PC Jed Raven said there had been an increase in projectile attacks using ball bearings or pellets.
“Not just catapults, people sometimes use aerial weapons and crossbows to target wildlife,” he said.
“But no matter how you look at it, it’s dangerous and cruel. Animal cruelty can be a precursor to more serious crimes.”
read more: Home Secretary calls for consideration of changes to catapult laws
Messages posted in WhatsApp groups
PC Raven asked the public to help them catch the perpetrators, saying those who saw it as “harmless fun” mistakenly believed the animals could suffer a slow and painful death.
“Anyone who walks into or patrols our parks and towns is our eyes and ears. We need you to tell us what you know,” he said.
“We’re seeing this trend because people are reporting incidents to us and the RSPCA. If you don’t tell us we can’t take action.”
People can report concerns to their local police online or call 999 if they think a crime is being committed.
One group shared photos of a deer that died from catapult injuries
The RSPCA described the material online as “horrifying” and said it was an “emerging trend”. The group’s chief wildlife officer, Jeff Edmond, said the children were “deliberately targeting animals” for “sport”.
The Swan Sanctuary also told Sky News that the number of birds harmed by catapults has increased exponentially.
Volunteer Danny Rogers said the “devastating” wounds, mainly to the head and neck, were caused by “pure fatal gunshots”.
X-rays showed ball bearings lodged inside the bird, as well as bones shattered by the catapult shot.
Animals attacked also include pigs, deer, pigeons, foxes, squirrels, pheasants, rabbits, geese and ducks.
Image of catapult shared in WhatsApp group
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Ejectors are easily purchased online, including on sites like eBay and Amazon. In online groups, young people also trade, sell, and even hand-make knives, and some even promote knives.
WhatsApp said the material shared in the Catapult group violated its terms of use.
A WhatsApp spokesperson told Sky News: “We respond to law enforcement requests in accordance with applicable laws and policies.”
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