The RSPCA say wildlife and pets deaths from catapults are rising at an 'alarming' rate.

Animals across the UK have been targeted daily according to a shocking increase in the barbaric trend where animals are killed with catapults and air rifles.

The RSPCA is calling upon the Government to take action..

From swans, geese, waterfowl, ducks and foxes to domestic animals such as cats and peacocks - all ranges of life are being targeted.

Jeff Edmund, RSPCA national wildlife officer and inspectorate lead, said: "We really should be concerned by this as it is happening on a massive scale."

"Just because it's not recognised by a lot of the public doesn't mean it's not a priority."

''People need to be reporting these crimes whenever they see them to the police.

"I haven't met anyone who hasn't been shocked and horrified it's occurring."

"We need the public to be on a journey to protect every kind of animal: everyone of us needs to safeguard wildlife welfare - we don't own our wildlife but we are responsible for it."

From the start of 2020 up until May 2023 the RSPCA received 808 reports of instances where animals had been intentionally harmed with a weapon, 124 of which involved the use of a catapult or slingshot.

Animal welfare experts explain how the death of 'just one animal' has hugely disastrous consequences on the rest of the species.

Jeff explained: "You target a swan at this time of year - they have nests - you take out one swan, you take out more members of that family, there are huge ripple effects."

Danni, known as the @the_swan_rescuer, plays a key role on the front line of this crisis - often travelling to sites all over the UK where wildlife has been struck down by people to try and give the poor creatures the best chance of survival.

The animal rescue volunteer who is based in Camberley says he is "deeply shocked and upset" at what has been occurring across the country - including the lack of public awareness and the ‘non-existent' government action."

Danni, who volunteers for Shepperton Swan Sanctuary, as well as Swans and friends Bird Rescue in Crawley, said: "We're supposed to be a nation of animal lovers - but this is getting out of control."

"When I first started volunteering, I only got called out to one or two of these deaths a year but this year alone, from New Years Day until mid-Feb I was called out to eight attacks on wildlife where six were killed."

"It's two to three a week now at least."

"There have also been four to five WhatsApp groups discovered with 700 members showing people killing animals with catapults - and the government doesn't think it's a problem."

"People need to realise this is happening next to them - their kids probably know people doing this! It is far from an isolated incident"

"Where is the National Crime Unit? Where are the Met police? There is no deterrents for people not to do this."

Danni created a petition, which has generated over 11,800 signatures, to make the sale of catapults/ammunition and carrying catapults illegal.

However, all government petitions are being halted on 30 May following the announcement of a general election.

It was taken to Parliament this year, but was left undiscussed and unsolved, says Danni.

He said: "The problem is you can buy catapults for less than £20 off Amazon - and they are classified as a toy."

"If you see a 14-year-old boy walking through a park with a catapult - you know why they are there, but Mr James Cleverly isn't going to review the petition or ban catapults ‘because of legitimate pastimes'."

"He says anglers use them - but they don't. The government is so out of touch." "

The dedicated wildlife rescuer added it is only ‘a matter of time' until people are targeted too.

He explained: "The velocity and the things they are firing is horrific."

"Eventually it's gonna be little Tommy or Sally - they will get killed - is that what it's gonna take to get a reaction?"

Wildlife experts encourage people to ring 999 and report any instances of animal abuse they witness.

One 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and possession of an offensive weapon following a report a pet peacock was killed with catapults.

Danni, who dedicates his time to protecting wildlife, added: "The world is falling apart around us and animals are the easy way out for people - they haven't got a voice, so I try to be their voice."

"The biggest influence we have is members of the public demanding changes from their local MPs, council and police so let's keep at them!"

"That's how things change and there has to be change now."

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the implications of these wildlife crimes can result in six months imprisonment, and in cases where actions cause suffering or death a maximum sentence of five years in prison and an unlimited fine.

The Act does not include catapults in the list of weapons that a person must not use to kill an animal. It is still illegal under this Act to deliberately attempt to kill, injure, or harm protected species.