AIRGUN VIOLENCE
GCN compiles
an on-going list of incidents involving
airguns.
Airguns do not require a license in the UK and are thus responsible for a
large percentage of gun violence in England, Scotland and Wales. In fact,
Derbyshire police estimate
70 percent of gun crime in their county is
attributable to airgun or BB guns.
Many gun crime incidents are reported by newspapers as involving
imitation guns or unknown weapons. The
former term may be mistakenly used when air weapons are to blame, while
'unknown weapons' are frequently air weapons since, again, airguns do not
require a license and are thus easier to obtain than other lethal firearms.
For more, please see our explanation of
why
we highlight incidents involving air weapons.
We know that our information
is incomplete. The number of incidents in our lists is between 10
and 15 percent of the total number of firearms offences recorded in Home
Office and Scottish Government figures, though we believe nearly all of
the most serious crimes are being included. Your help in collecting more
information would be greatly appreciated. If you have any information
about an incident please contact us by email
contact@gun-control-network.org.
Airgun
Violence in England, Scotland and Wales
Lists of Airgun Incidents:
2008
2009
2010
2011
Click for quick jump to incidents involving:
Deaths
See Airgun Deaths
page
Injuries
ENGLAND
Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
18 April
2012
A police
officer was shot with an air rifle
in Elland, West Yorkshire. The officer suffered non-severe
injuries, and police charged a man with possessing an air weapon with
intent to cause fear of violence, resisting arrest and possessing
controlled drugs.
Nottingham Post,
17 April
2012
A
17-year-old boy and a 36-year-old woman were shot outside a hotel in
Nottingham before being treated in hospital. Police said they could
not confirm the weapon used, but received reports from hotel staff that
the victims were shot with an airgun.
Wirral News,
14 April
2012
A man was
shot with an airgun in the leg and
back as well as being clubbed with the weapon in Prenton,
Merseyside. Police said they arrested a man on suspicion of assault
following the incident. The victim was treated in hospital for his
injuries and released.
Nottingham Post,
13 April
2012
A man was
shot in the face with an air pistol
on the grounds of a church in Misterton, Nottinghamshire. The
victim will have to undergo surgery to remove a pellet that is lodged
behind his eye. Police recovered the weapon and arrested a suspect and
charged him with possession of a firearm with intent to commit an
indictable offence and wounding.
Chorley Guardian,
4 April 2012
Two
victims were shot by air rifles in
apparently unconnected attacks in Chorley, Lancashire. An
8-year-old girl was shot in the chest by her 10-year-old brother, while
a man was also shot in the chest while mowing his lawn. Both victims had
pellets lodged in their chests and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Shields Gazette,
2 April 2012
Five
teenagers were arrested after allegedly carrying out two
airgun attacks in South Shields,
Tyne and Wear. A 15-year-old boy was shot with a pellet and treated in
hospital for a suspected broken finger. An hour after that attack, a
group of young people were threatened with an air rifle in an attempted
robbery. They reportedly fled and were shot, incurring minor injuries.
In addition to arresting the five teenagers on suspicion of robbery,
police recovered an air weapon.
Cornish Guardian,
31 March
2012
A man was
shot in the head with an airgun in
Lostwithiel, Cornwall. Police said the victim was shot with an
air pistol that was recovered, and he was taken to hospital where he was
held in a 'serious and sedated condition'.
BBC News,
28 March
2012
A man was
shot with an air rifle while working
up a church tower in Ipswich, Suffolk. The victim was reportedly
hit in the back of the head and treated in hospital, while the weapon
and offender were not located.
This is Hull and East Riding,
8 March 2012
A man was
shot in the face by an air rifle in
Hull. The victim, who was on his regular shift emptying bins for
Hull City Council, was shot by someone believed to be in a nearby
building. Police said they arrested one man while another suspect fled.
Initial reports indicated the victim was hit in the eye, but as the
pellet struck just outside his eye the injury was less severe (This
is Hull and East Riding, 10 March 2012).
Paisley Daily Express,
2 March 2012
A woman
was taken to hospital after she was shot in the head in Paisley,
Renfrewshire. She was apparently shot after stumbling across two people
in an argument, and it is believed that an
airgun was used to shoot her at close range.
Dorset Echo,
21 February 2012
A teenage
boy was shot in the arm with an air rifle
in Weymouth, Dorset. The gunman was reportedly seen aiming his
rifle at people from a flat before the gun was fired. Police have
arrested two men in connection with the attack.
Northern Echo, 13 January 2012
A teenager
was shot twice with an air rifle in
Bishop Auckland, County Durham. The shooter fired from an open
window in a car and struck the victim in the chest, then again in the
back as he fell to the ground. The vehicle then drove away.
Gloucestershire Echo,
9 November
2011
A woman
was shot in the leg with an air rifle
while walking her dog in Cheltenham. She was taken to
hospital to have the pellet removed. Police said children aged 13 to 14
were spotted in the area around the time of the attack.
Hartlepool Mail, 22 October 2011
A woman
was shot by an airgun as she walked through the town centre in
Hartlepool. The victim was hit in the leg as the pellet caused
blood to soak down her leg. After receiving hospital treatment she was
reportedly cleared of lasting physical damage but said she now fears to
walk around the town.
This is Scunthorpe, 10 October 2011
A woman
was shot in the leg by what was thought to be an
air rifle pellet in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire.
She was left with a wound that required hospital treatment.
Heart, 9 October 2011
A
12-year-old boy was shot in the elbow with an
airgun in Norwich. The boy required hospital
treatment for the injury, which police believe may have been connected
to attacks on two vehicles. The window of a bus was smashed, and a
window on a van was also struck, causing shards of glass to injure the
driver.
Wigan Today, 16 September 2011
A
76-year-old woman was shot with an airgun
while walking her dog in Wigan. Police have reportedly seized an
air pistol in their investigation, and the woman has recovered after the
pellet hit her stomach.
Bury Focus,
2 August 2011
A
15-year-old girl was shot in the eye by an
airgun in Bury. She was taken to hospital where it was
confirmed she has lost sight in her eye. A 17-year-old boy has been
arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
BBC News,
15 July 2011
Someone
shot an air rifle at cars and people
in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, hitting one member of the public
in the leg. Police said the victim was not seriously injured. They
arrested three men, aged 19, 21 and 22, on suspicion of their
involvement.
Lancashire Telegraph, 13 July 2011
A
22-year-old man was shot in the abdomen with an
air pistol in Altham, Lancashire. Police said he
sustained minor injuries and was treated in hospital.
Manchester Evening News,
7 July 2011
A woman
was shot in the ear with an airgun
as she walked her dogs in a park in Newall Green, Manchester. The
victim had the pellet surgically removed.
Daily Gazette,
2 July 2011
A
13-year-old boy was shot in the legs with an
air rifle in Essex. Police saw two men flee after
leaving the weapon at the scene. The boy was taken to hospital.
SCOTLAND
Rutherglen Reformer,
21 September 2011
A man in
Rutherglen, Glasgow was shot in the cheek and twice on the hand
by what is believed to have been a high-powered
air pistol. The incident reportedly occurred when the
gunman threatened the victim's girlfriend at her home. The victim
attempted to grab the gun and was wounded after three shots were fired.
Herald Scotland,
12 July 2011
A
20-year-old man was shot with an airgun
in Glasgow. The man was reportedly walking his dog
in a busy park when another man leapt from the bushes and shot him in
the arm and leg. The victim was treated in hospital.
WALES
The Missing List,
16 January 2012
A
12-year-old boy was shot in the eye by an
airgun in Newport. He was taken to hospital for
surgery to remove the pellet, and could lose sight in the eye
permanently.
Threatening Behaviour
ENGLAND
Bourne Local,
27
March 2012
Karl
Taylor, 26, and Ashley Sorby, 22 have been jailed for eight years each
after attacking a man in Hartlepool, County Durham. The pair held
an unloaded air rifle to the
victim's head and pulled the trigger, in addition to a series of other
acts of torture. The perpetrators admitted grievous bodily harm and
false imprisonment of the victim, an autistic man who required hospital
treatment after the vicious assault.
Evening Chronicle,
17
March 2012
Joe
Foster, 20, has been jailed for one year after threatening council
officers with an air pistol in
Throckley, Tyne and Wear. Foster pointed the gun at the three
victims from close range after they discovered a cannabis plant in his
garden, and he then fled with the plant before being captured by police.
He pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of
violence.
Evening Telegraph,
29 February
2012
Four
teenagers were caught with air rifles
after sparking a police helicopter search in Rothwell,
West Yorkshire. The youths, aged 15 and 16, were arrested and referred
to the youth justice team.
BBC News,
28 January
2012
Police
swooped to arrest a man reported to be brandishing a gun at a County
Durham pub. Officers recovered a firearm believed to be an
airgun, and arrested a man on
suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of
violence.
Bury Free Press,
28 January
2012
An
air rifle was stolen from a home in
Rickinghall, Suffolk. Five men armed with knives reportedly
invaded an occupied home and stole the firearm, cash, a laptop and
fishing equipment.
Mirror,
27 January
2012
Someone
sent Queens Park Rangers footballer Anton Ferdinand a package containing
a high-calibre airgun pellet along
with a hateful letter. Ferdinand has been subjected to various racist
threats and hate mail while playing for the west London club.
Northern Echo,
27 January
2012
A firearms
incident reportedly took place outside a pub in Hetton-le-Hole,
Tyne and Wear. Police arrested a man on suspicion of possessing a
firearm with intent to cause fear or alarm and recovered an item
believed to be an airgun.
The Argus,
19 January
2012
Police
detained a man brandishing a firearm in St Leonards, East Sussex.
After members of the public reporting seeing a gunman, armed officers
swooped and arrested the suspect on suspicion of possessing an
airgun.
Manchester Evening News,
17
January 2012
A man
threatened staff at a chemists in Saddleworth, Manchester with an
air rifle, demanding they give him
drugs for which he had no prescription. After leaving the pharmacy, the
gunman was followed by a customer until he fired two shots at his
pursuer. Police captured the suspect in a home shortly thereafter and
arrested him on suspicion of robbery. Officers also reportedly recovered
three guns and a machete.
Portsmouth Echo,
22 November
2011
Someone
reportedly shot an airgun pellet
through an office window in Gosport, Hampshire. A staff member at
the office was alarmed and hit by glass shards as a result of the
pellet's impact.
Sunday Sun,
16 November
2011
Police
were called in Northumberland when members of the public reported
a man brandishing a gun in a home. Officers arrested the suspect on
suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence,
and they recovered an air weapon
from the home.
Oxford Mail, 20 October 2011
A group of
teenagers shot at a home in Witney, Oxfordshire in an
attack apparently fuelled by homophobia. The five boys who targeted the
house reportedly shattered the glass patio door with an
airgun, shouting homophobic slurs
at the male couple who live there.
Peterborough Today, 6 October 2011
A woman in
Peterborough was allegedly shot at by an
air rifle or BB gun. A
man in the same neighbourhood reported that BB guns had been shot at
people and cars 'over the last six months'. The incidents are apparently
part of an ongoing conflict between families in the neighbourhood.
Manchester Evening News, 23 September 2011
A teenage
boy caused panic in Miles Platting, Manchester when he fired an
air rifle. He reportedly walked into
a gym class and fired the gun above his head. The teen was arrested on
suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm after police recovered the
weapon.
Burton Mail, 20 September 2011
Stray
pellets from an air rifle fell
around customers at a car dealership in Burton, Staffordshire.
Police confiscated the weapon after members of the public reportedly ran
for cover when they heard the gun shots. No one was reported sustaining
physical injuries.
Leicester Mercury,
29 July 2011
Two groups
of men broke out in a fight in Leicester, with one group
reported to have been armed with air rifles.
No arrests were made as the group alleged to have air weapons fled.
WALES
BBC News,
8 April 2012
Police
were called to a house in Flintshire after a man was reportedly
refusing to leave and in possession of an
airgun. Officers said the man was taken into question over
allegations of assault an possession of a firearm with intent to commit
violence.
South Wales Evening Post,
26 March 2012
Three
youths were reportedly spotted firing an air
rifle in Neath. The teenagers allegedly fired the gun
at birds in a public park, prompting a member of the public to contact
police.
Shropshire Star,
28 July 2011
Two men
working on floodlights for a football club in Dfed-Powys, Wales
were allegedly shot at by an air rifle.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of discharging a firearm.
Shots
Fired at Vehicles & Trains
ENGLAND
IW Radio,
2 February
2012
Police are
investigating a possible air rifle
attack on a train in the Isle of Wight. An 'unknown missile'
struck a train, causing a window to shatter. One passenger received
minor cuts to her head and foot.
Buxton Advertiser,
26 July 2011
A man was
arrested in Newark, Nottinghamshire after allegedly attacking a
police car with 'various weapons' including an
airgun and a bow and arrow. Police said the window of a
vehicle was smashed but no officers or members of the public were
injured.
WALES
South Wales Evening Post,
19 April 2012
Passengers
on a bus in Briton Ferry, Neath Port Talbot witnessed an
airgun attack. The shooting resulted
in the bus driver being injured and a window being shattered. The driver
survived with a minor injury after being shot in the arm, and took the
bus to safety.
South Wales Evening Post,
18 February 2012
Someone
shot through the window of a historic building in Briton Ferry,
south Wales. The incident is believed to be caused by an
airgun.
South Wales
Evening Post, 17 October 2011
Someone
apparently used an airgun to shoot
10 cars in Port Talbot. The shooting several windows and caused
thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Thefts,
Recoveries and Hand-ins
ENGLAND
BBC News,
23 March
2012
Police
recovered an air pistol, a crossbow
and drugs from a flat in Oldham, Manchester. Officers arrested a
21-year-old man on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply
but no arrests relating to the weapons were reported.
Manchester Evening News,
28
February 2012
Police
recovered an
air rifle and a large amount of
cannabis plants in Blackley, Manchester. Officers arrested five
people upon uncovering the drugs factory.
Todmorden News,
24 February 2012
Police
arrested a man in Todmorden, West Yorkshire after enduring a
siege that lasted nearly three hours. Officers, who were executing a
search warrant on the residence, reportedly recovered three
air weapons from the home and
arrested a suspect on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Leicester Mercury, 17
February 2012
A
shotgun and ammunition were stolen
from a home in Leicester. Police said burglars forced open a safe
and stole the legally held shotgun, 225 cartridges and an
air rifle.
Shields Gazette,
8 February
2012
Police
responded to reports of gunshots in South Tyneside as three men
reportedly fled the scene by car. Officers caught the trio and recovered
three airguns before cautioning the
men for discharging air weapons in a public place.
Halifax Courier,
2 February
2012
Police
arrested a man in Todmorden, West Yorkshire who was carrying two
weapons. Officers reportedly stopped a man behaving strangely and
recovered an air pistol as well as a
knife.
BBC News,
23 November
2011
Three
women have been arrested in connection with a machine gun that was
recovered from a home in Manchester. Police also recovered a
loaded air pistol, and charged each
of the three women with two counts of possession of prohibited weapons.
Lynn News,
12 November
2011
Four
teenage boys in Lynn were arrested after they reportedly stole a
machete and air rifles from an
allotment shed and threatened people with the weapons. One boy is
alleged to have frightened cyclists by pulling the trigger on an
unloaded air rifle as he pointed at them. The boys, aged 14 to 17, were
all arrested and received various charges related to the burglary and
possession of the weapons.
Watford Observer,
4 November
2011
Police
recovered 67 weapons in Watford and Three Rivers,
Hertfordshire, in the past year. The haul includes a loaded
airgun, a
sawn-off shotgun, three imitation
firearms and an additional gun.
Eastwood Advertiser,
17 October 2011
A man in
Nottingham was arrested after police apparently recovered a
loaded gun and the ingredients for a bomb at a flat. The man was charged
with two counts of possessing an explosive substance for an unlawful
purpose and two counts of possessing an air
weapon contrary to restrictions placed on him, as well as
possession of a firearm and prohibited ammunition.
SCOTLAND
Stirling Observer,
6 April 2012
An
air gun was found in Lochearnhead
on the bank of Loch Earn. A member of the public reportedly
discovered the air rifle while fishing and handed it into police.
WALES
South Wales Argus,
11 April 2012
Police
responded to a suspected firearms incident in Bassaleg, Newport.
Officers located a 19-year-old suspect and recovered the weapon in
question, an air rifle. Police
arrested the man on suspicion of possessing a firearm.
Other
Incidents
ENGLAND
Daily Echo, 19
April 2012
Police
said a window was broken due to an air rifle
being fired in Alresford, Essex. Six youths were reportedly seen
with the weapon but escaped police pursuit.
The Sentinel,
13 February
2012
Four men
were arrested and 'a number' of airguns
were seized from a flat in Penkhull, Staffordshire after a fight
broke out at a house party. A man was taken to hospital with a broken
nose and facial injuries, but the airguns were not believed to have been
fired.
Berwick Advertiser,
11 November
2011
A man was
arrested in Belford, Northumberland and charged with possession
of a firearm without holding a firearms certificate. He allegedly was
sent an air weapon by his mother,
who lives in the U.S., but customs intercepted it.
This is Wiltshire, 9 September 2011
A man was
arrested when he was seen holding a firearm while cycling in Devizes,
Wiltshire. Someone was spotted holding what appeared to be a rifle and
ran from police, but a search ensued and officers detained a 19-year-old
suspect. They charged him with possession of a firearm and theft, and
recovered an air rifle nearby.
Daily Gazette,
13 September 2011
A
suspected airgun attack on a
community centre in Colchester, Essex resulted in a broken
window. The centre had only been opened one week after ten years of
effort to finish building it.
SCOTLAND
Dumfries Standard,
28 October 2011
A primary
school in Dumfries was vandalised in what police believe was an
airgun attack. Several windows were
smashed at the school during the October holiday week.
BBC
News, 26 July 2011
Police in
Angus received reports that a man in a car was seen with an
airgun. The man was spotted near
the nature trail and police were pursuing information from witnesses.
Court
Cases
ENGLAND
Hull Daily Mail,
20
April 2012
Gordon
Houlden was given a suspended prison sentence after admitting unlawfully
wounding a victim in Hull. Houlden shot a 12-year-old boy with an
air rifle when he fired the gun out
of his bathroom window at the victim and his friends. The boy required
surgery to remove the pellet but survived the shooting. Houlden was
ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and pay the victim
£1,500 compensation.
Kidderminster Shuttle,
5
April 2012
Thomas
Loveridge, 21, has been jailed for 21 days for breaching a court order
and will face a further burglary charge after allegedly stealing items
from a store in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. Loveridge is
charged with the burglary of a store in which an
air rifle, electrical goods and cash were stolen.
Cambridge News,
12
March 2012
Benjamin
Keady, 20, has been jailed for three years after admitting robbery and
possession of cannabis. Keady and his brother-in-law broke into a house
in Cambridge and threatened a victim with an
airgun. However, the victim grabbed
the gun and stymied the attack. Keady, who already has convictions for
assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wounding, grievous bodily harm,
battery and assaulting a police officer, was caught by police, but the
other perpetrator reportedly escaped and fled back to Jamaica.
Western Morning News,
6 March 2012
Craig Lane
has been given a community order for criminal damage, possession of an
air rifle and possession of a
pickaxe handle after he attacked a car belonging to his ex-partner's new
boyfriend. Lane was carrying the air rifle when he smashed a window of
the car. He was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.
Kensington and Chelsea
Chronicle,
6
March 2012
James
Reynolds has been given an 18-month community service order after
admitting possession of a firearm. Reynolds was seen in public with a
gun before police caught him with an airgun,
CS gas and a blade in Notting Hill, west London. He admitted
possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of an offensive weapon.
Daily Express,
2
March 2012
Patrick
Doyle, 71, has been given a 12-week suspended sentence for causing
unnecessary suffering after shooting a cat from close range with an
air rifle. Doyle baited the animal
into a cage because it was digging up his garden in Bedfordshire.
He then shot it and left it thrashing about the cage before a neighbour
finally freed it.
Daily Echo,
1
March 2012
Kieran
Bunday, 24, has been jailed for three years after he threatened a boy
with an air rifle and knife and
raped him in Bournemouth. Bunday was found guilty of four charges
of rape, two of sexual assault, two of causing a person to engage in
sexual activity without consent and one of indecency with a child.
Somerset Standard,
1
March 2012
Scott Doel
has been jailed for three years and Lloyd Jones for two years and eight
months after the pair each shot someone with an
airgun in Somerset. Both men fired shots from the
weapon, striking the victim in his back and his right eye. Hospital
treatment was unsuccessful in salvaging the victim's sight in the
affected eye. Doel and Jones pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily
harm and possessing a firearm while committing an offence. Doel also
admitted common assault.
Staffordshire Newsletter,
27
February 2012
Clive
Price was found guilty of shooting and killing a cat with an illegal
airgun and possessing multiple
illegal firearms in Stafford. However, the court found
'exceptional circumstances' -- the fact Price is carer for his disabled
wife -- to overcome the minimum five years in prison and he was not
jailed. Price admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the cat after
he shot it out of a tree and then killed it 'by clubbing it or swinging
it against a wall'. That led police to his home, where they found more
illegal guns that led to four firearms offences. Price was given a
suspended jail sentence and ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid community
work.
Cambridge News,
14
February 2012
Anthony
Taylor, 18, has been given a four-month suspended detention order after
apparently shooting two children with an air
rifle in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire. Taylor admitted
firing the rifle from his garden and bedroom window, and two victims
were injured during the shootings. A 12-year-old was hit in the arm and
elbow, while a 15-year-old boy was hit in the top of his leg. Taylor
pleaded guilty to affray after a court decided it could not be proved
that Taylor had actually caused the injuries, and the court opted not to
send him to prison.
Western Morning News,
10 February
2012
Jayne
Evans has been given a 12-month community order after admitting affray.
Evans reportedly carried an air rifle
in public and pointed it at a man in Torquay, Devon. Police found
her drunk in her flat with the weapon following the incident, and
officers recovered the airgun.
Mirror,
11 November 2011
Five
teenage boys aged 13 to 16 have been jailed 18 months each after
carrying out an armed robbery in Southampton. The boys,
apparently model students doing GCSEs, threatened a shopkeeper with an
antique airgun. They each admitted
robbery and were sent to a young offenders institution.
BBC
News,
11 November 2011
David
Cawston has been jailed for three years for possessing an
air pistol with intent to cause fear
of violence. He initially contacted police and indicated that he had a
weapon, then barricaded himself in his home in New Costessey,
Norfolk. A 32-hour standoff ensued, as Cawston issued a list of
demands, but police finally arrested him without any gunshots being
fired.
Cambridge News,
8 November 2011
Stephen
Easey has been banned from driving for three years after police caught
him sleeping in a car while drunk in Cambridge. Easey, who
admitted to heavy drinking and using cocaine, was also in possession of
an air rifle. He was found guilty of
failure to provide a specimen and keeping the weapon, while the charge
of possessing the air rifle in a public place was reportedly dropped due
to lack of evidence. In addition to the driving ban, Easy was also fined
£645.
Daily Mail,
6 November 2011
Karl
Blennerhassett has been jailed for two years for illegal possession of
antique weapons in West Lancashire. The gun collector, who owns
more than 140 guns, was discovered to own four modified
air rifles without a license. The
sentencing judge noted that antiques -- which are legal despite their
lethal ability -- must be taken seriously, because 'one of the great
tragedies on Merseyside involved an old firearm.' He was referring to
Rhys Jones, an 11-year-old who was killed in 2007 (BBC
News, 23 August 2007).
Dudley News, 2 November 2011
John
Fradgley has been handed a conditional discharge after possessing an
air pistol in a public place. He was
involved in an incident outside a leisure centre in Dudley where
he was caught in possession of the weapon.
Bristol Evening Post,
2 November
2011
Darren
Francis, Lee Bedford and Matthew Grant pleaded guilty to burglary after
an incident in which they stole a television from a 16-year-old who had
threatened them with an air rifle at
them. After the teenager aimed an airgun at the group in Bedminster,
Bristol, they chased him into his house, then stole his TV. The three
burglars were each fined
£915.
BBC News, 1 November 2011
Ryan
Coombes admitted robbery, attempted robbery, possessing a firearm and
escaping from prison in Nottingham. After he made his escape,
Coombes attempted to carry out armed robberies on two shops. He was
caught after police found him in his vehicle with an
air pistol and other weapons. He was
sentenced to indefinite time in jail and will serve a minimum of two
years and two months.
Daily Mail, 28 October 2011
Eric
Reeves, 68, admitted causing unnecessary suffering after he shot his
neighbour's cat with an air rifle in
Norfolk. The airgun pellet punctured the cat's intestine but it
survived. Reeves, a 'bird lover' who apparently shot the cat for chasing
birds, was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work and was fined
£400.
The Sentinel, 19 October 2011
Anthony
Chapman has been jailed for two years and six months for possessing
prohibited firearms and ammunition in Westlands, Staffordshire.
Among the items recovered by police were a pair of
airguns. The former police officer and arms dealer was
convicted after police raided Chapman's home on two occasions, with the
charges typically resulting in a minimum of five years imprisonment
because some of the weapons he possessed had lethal capability. However,
the court considered Chapman's circumstances exceptional, as he is a
66-year-old antiques collector.
The Sentinel, 15 October 2011
Steven
Salt, 18, has been sentenced to an 18-week prison sentence and 100 hours
of unpaid community work after he shot a pigeon in a park in
Staffordshire for a meal. The homeless 18-year-old shot the bird
twice with a loaded air weapon
before police responded to an alarm raised by a member of the public.
Salt admitted possession of a loaded air weapon and shooting the gun in
a public park.
Manchester Evening News, 4 October 2011
Marc
Billingham has been jailed for 10 years for selling guns in Moss Side,
Manchester. Undercover police had set up a fake shop in the area and,
through a series of dealings, were supplied two functional handguns as
well as an air pistol, an
imitation firearm and bullets.
Elliott Harrison, who drove Billingham to and from one of the
transactions, was jailed for five years for possessing a firearm.
Peterlee Mail, 4 October 2011
Paul
Skidmore and Craig Short have been jailed for seven years and four
months and six years, respectively. Both were convicted of two counts of
robbery, possession of a firearm and laptop theft. Skidmore threatened
his uncle with an air rifle while
Short held a knife to the man in Hartlepool in May as the pair
attempted to steal money and drugs. Skidmore also struck his uncle on
the eye with the butt of the gun. They assaulted another man three days
later along with a third offender, Robert Beevers, who was sentenced to
a 18-month community order for theft of a laptop and possession of
cannabis.
Bolton News, 16 September 2011
David
Johns has been found guilty of possessing firearms and ammunition when
prohibited. Johns, who is banned from keeping
airguns for five years after being jailed for nearly three
years following a pair of assaults, had two airguns in his pub in
Bolton. Police discovered the prohibited weapons during a search for
cannabis that went unsuccessful. A judge noted that due to Johns'
previous sentence, he will not be jailed for this crime.
Northampton Chronicle, 5 September 2011
Ashley
Sumner has been given an extended order in a psychiatric hospital and is
expected to be given a permanent hospital order later this month. Sumner
shot at police with an air rifle in
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire in September 2010. Sumner, who
is described as a paranoid schizophrenic, admitted to hearing voices and
had confronted a woman with a hammer before challenging police to shoot
him as he waved the airgun above his head.
Liverpool Echo, 1 September 2011
Dene
Galloway, 19, was sent to a Young Offenders' Institute for three and a
half years after committing armed robbery in Prescot, near
Liverpool. The teenager used an air pistol
to raid a shop hours after bingeing on cocaine for the first time.
The Sentinel,
29 July 2011
Anthony
Jones has been convicted of possession of an imitation firearm with
intent to cause fear of violence and communicating false information
with intent. Jones was sentenced to a two-year community order and fined
£500
after he made a hoax call of a house fire in Stoke, as well as
claiming to have a bomb and a gun. The drunken man proceeded to wave an
airgun in the air as firefighters
arrived and was eventually detained by police officers.
Liverpool Echo,
23 July 2011
Paul
Brennan has been jailed for seven years after robbing a store in
Liverpool in September 2010. Brennan assaulted a shop worker as he
brandished an air pistol and smashed
the security glass. The judge cited sustained psychological damage
suffered by the woman who was alone running the shop, as well as the
presence of terrified children, in the sentencing.
BBC
News,
21 July 2011
A
73-year-old woman in Kent chased a burglar out of her home with
her husband's air rifle. The
burglar, Malcolm Haben, was caught by police and sentenced to five years
in jail for committing three burglaries. Police said the woman, whose
husband owns the gun legally, had been 'brave,' but advised people in
such a situation to phone 999.
Staffordshire Newsletter,
20 July 2011
David
Newton has been jailed for five years for blackmail, conspiracy to
supply cannabis and possessing a prohibited firearm. Newton and Dean
Tunnicliff, jailed 30 months for blackmail and conspiracy to supply
cannabis, had threatened to shoot a fellow conspirator after their
supply was stolen from a building in Staffordshire. Police
recovered an illegal, high-powered air rifle
from Newton's home.
Malvern Gazette,
19 July 2011
Dale
Clark, 18, has been jailed for ten months for possession of a firearm
with intent to cause fear of violence in Malvern, Worcestershire.
He reportedly threatened a man with an air
rifle after losing his temper following a row.
Rochdale Online,
15 July 2011
Six men
aged 22 to 42 have been jailed after police recovered loaded guns from a
convoy of three cars in Manchester in November 2010. Amar Murtaza,
Atiq Arif and Peter Maguire were sentenced to 12 years each for
possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of
ammunition with intent to endanger life. Daryl Maguire, Steven Yates and
Perry Curtis each received five years for similar charges. The group
were traveling with a shotgun and an
air pistol capable of causing death,
as well as a machete.
North West Evening Mail,
11
January 2012
Daniel
Adams has been found guilty of possessing an
air rifle with intent to cause fear of violence. Adams
threatened another man with the airgun in Barrow, Lancashire
after the victim confronted Adams at Adams' home. The incident was the
result of a dispute over the victim's son, who lives with Adams. The
victim reportedly grabbed the loaded weapon and left the house with it
before police got involved.
Swindon Advertiser,
9 July 2011
Peter
Gallagher has admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of
violence in Swindon. He confronted youngsters with an
air weapon in May. A judge initially
suspended sentence due to further investigation into the incident.
Scotsman News,
7 July 2011
Brian
McGeechan, 21, has been jailed for five years and four months after he
shot a man five times with an airgun
in Glasgow, permanently blinding the victim in one eye. The
incident took place outside a bar in February.
BBC News,
5 July 2011
Johnathon
Foster has been convicted of recklessly discharging an
air pistol. He fired it several
times as fans arrived for a football match at Tynecastle Stadium in
Edinburgh in August 2010. He will be sentenced next month.
SCOTLAND
Stirling Observer,
3 February
2012
David
Dickson pleaded guilty to recklessly discharging a firearm after her
accidentally fired an air rifle at
two victims in Perthshire. Dickson, who had reportedly never used
the weapon before, was experimenting when it accidentally shot, hitting
a boat carrying two fishermen. He was fined
£600.
STV, 13 January 2012
Michael
Hannah, 20, admitted culpably and recklessly firing an
airgun and placing children in a
state of fear. Hannah shot the air weapon at a group of kids in Nairn,
Highland after they threw snowballs at his front door. He initially
threatened the children, aged 12 to 15, by brandishing a knife, then
fired 'warning shots' with the airgun. A judge deferred sentence because
his girlfriend threw him out of the home he had defended.
Scotsman,
28 October 2011
Paul
Purves will be sentenced for committing armed robbery in Edinburgh.
In September 2008 he assaulted a woman in her car, threatening her with
an air pistol and stealing her purse
and car. Purves initially jumped bail and fled the country, but was
arrested in Ireland in April of this year.
WALES
South Wales Argus,
1
March 2012
Connor
Davies, 18, has been jailed for one year and four months for inflicting
grievous bodily harm after he shot a 12-year-old boy with an
airgun in Newport. Davies
shot at the victim from his bedroom window and hit him in the eye with a
pellet, permanently removing most visibility.
This is South Wales, 4 November 2011
Shaheur
Rahman, 19, who lives in Tower Hamlets, east London, has been
jailed for two and a half years for assault causing actual bodily harm
and possessing a firearm. He shot another Londoner with an
airgun while the two were both in
Swansea. One day after legally buying the weapon in Swansea, Rahman
shot the victim five times in what the court referred to as a
'pre-planned revenge attack.'
Flintshire Chronicle,
1 July 2011
Ben Jones,
19, was sentenced to three years in youth custody after holding up a
petrol station with an airgun in
Ewloe. Jones stole cash and battered the shop staff member on the
head before fleeing on 30 May. He then posted messages on Facebook
boasting of his crime as he fled from police.
Incidents Involving Animals
Buxton Advertiser,
21
April 2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in New Mills,
Derbyshire. She survived the shooting after undergoing surgery to remove
the pellet.
Times Series,
10 April
2012
Police said
they were summoned for two separate reports of people shooting birds in
Barnet, north London. In one occasion it is believed the shooters used
a shotgun; hours later, another
incident took place involving an air rifle.
No arrests were made.
Sleaford Standard,
8 April 2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in
Ruskington, Lincolnshire. The cat was shot in the stomach and was
injured, but survived the attack.
Droitwich Standard,
30 March
2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an airgun in
Droitwich, Worcestershire. A pellet was reportedly lodged in her
stomach for a day before she collapsed and died.
Clydebank Post,
26 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the chest with an airgun in
Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire. The pet reportedly was shot and in
pain for weeks before undergoing surgery to remove the pellet.
Craven Herald,
23 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the neck with an airgun in
Skipton, North Yorkshire. The pellet went through his neck and
lodged in his shoulder bone, but he survived after undergoing surgery.
Hinckley Times,
23 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the leg with an air rifle in
Hinckley, Leicestershire. The pet survived but had to have his
front leg amputated.
This is Wiltshire,
22 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the side with an air rifle
in Calne, Wiltshire. The wound was severe enough that she
couldn't immediately undergo surgery, but she is expected to recover
after eventually receiving treatment.
South Wales Argus,
22 March
2012
An owl was
shot in a sanctuary in Ebbw Vale, Wales with was believed to be
an airgun. The bird was found dead
with a wound to the skull, after the sanctuary owner reportedly heard
shots fired.
Blackburn Citizen,
21 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the tail in Darwen,
Lancashire. The animal was allegedly shot with an
airgun a week after six ducks and a goose were shot in the
same area (Blackburn Citizen,
10 March
2012).
Warrington Guardian,
19 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the tail in Padgate, Warrington. The cat underwent a
successful operation to remove the pellet after being attacked by
someone with an air rifle, causing a
swollen wound.
Blackburn Citizen,
10 March
2012
Six ducks
and a goose were shot and killed in a public park in Darwen,
Lancashire. Police said someone was spotted shooting the birds with an
air pistol. The ducks were pets belonging to a member of the
public (This
is Lancashire, 13 March 2012).
Wigan Today,
9 March 2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in Wigan,
Manchester. The animal was apparently shot in the spine just two months
after he was shot a previous time.
Luton Today,
8 March 2012
Two cats
were shot with airguns in Sundon
Village, Bedfordshire. One animal underwent extensive surgery after
his wounds caused damage to his bowel, abdomen and intestine. Meanwhile,
the other cat was killed in the attack.
Kent Online,
8 March 2012
Teenagers
in Kingsnorth, Kent reportedly shot frogs and toads with an
airgun. A member of the public allegedly found the youths
shooting the amphibians with an air pistol, leaving them mutilated and
dying in the street.
Western Telegraph,
7 March
2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an
air rifle in Maenclochog, Pembrokeshire. The animal
was left with a pellet lodged in its lung and died later the same day.
Luton Today,
8 March 2012
A cat was shot with
an airgun in Sundon
Village, Bedfordshire. The animal underwent extensive surgery after
his wounds caused damage to his bowel, abdomen and intestine.
Daily Mail,
8 March 2012
A cat was
shot nine times with an air rifle in
Timperley, Manchester. The assailants apparently lured the pet
with food, then blasted it in the skull, spine, leg, back and stomach.
Despite his severe wounds, the cat managed to survive after hospital
treatment.
Kent Online,
8 March 2012
Teenagers
in Kingsnorth, Kent reportedly shot frogs and toads with an
airgun. A member of the public allegedly found the youths
shooting the amphibians with an air pistol, leaving them mutilated and
dying in the street.
Western Telegraph,
7 March
2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an
air rifle in Maenclochog, Pembrokeshire. The animal
was left with a pellet lodged in its lung and died later the same day.
Luton Today,
7 March
2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an
air rifle in Luton, Bedfordshire. The 15-year-old
cat's owners found him unable to move with three air rifle pellets
lodged in his body. He had to be put down shortly thereafter.
York Press,
6 March
2012
A cat was
shot with an
air rifle in York. The owner of the animal said it had
undergone an operation after a pellet was lodged in its skin.
Mix 96,
4 March 2012
A cat had
to be put down after being shot with an air
rifle in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The pet was found with pellets
lodged in his lungs.
Watford Observer,
25 February
2012
A cat was shot
with an airgun in Maple
Cross, Hertfordshire. The pet reportedly had to be put down after
being injured in the attack.
South Wales Guardian,
24 February
2012
A cat was
shot in the head by an air rifle in
Gwaun cae Gurwen, Wales. He was reportedly the sixth cat shot by
an airgun in the area in the past 18 months, with at least two of the
pets killed.
Hamilton Advertiser,
23 February
2012
Two cats
were shot in airgun attacks
in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The incidents spanned
three days as one cat was shot in the head and another in the cheek,
with each badly injured by the attacks.
Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
18 February
2012
A cat has
been shot and killed with an air rifle in
Birkby, Huddersfield. His owner has another pet cat who was also
shot by an airgun last year, but survived.
Paisley Daily Express,
14 February
2012
Days after
the below incident (Paisley Daily Express, 9 February
2012), another cat was apparently also shot with an
airgun in Renfrew. He suffered nerve damage
after a pellet was lodged in his chest, but unlike the previous pet he
did not die.
Paisley Daily Express,
9 February
2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle and left to
die in Renfrew. An airgun pellet was shot through his spine and
into his stomach, and the cat was found frozen stiff after spending the
night wounded in a garden with temperatures at minus 3°C.
BBC News,
9 February
2012
A cat has
been put down after being shot with an airgun in
Shropshire. A pellet struck her head and became lodged in her
jaw, police said.
Bedfordshire News,
3 February
2012
A man was
arrested after trapping his neighbour's cat and shooting at it with an
air rifle in Bedford. The
assailant reportedly caged the animal after it got into his flowers, but
missed after taking aim and firing with the airgun. The owner of the cat
then confronted the man and the cat was freed.
Wakefield Express,
31 January
2012
Police
have been increased in Normanton, West Yorkshire after a series
of vandalism and reported airgun
incidents. Police said a boy had been seen with an air rifle and
residents reported dead birds in their gardens.
Salisbury Journal,
25 January 2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in
Amesbury, Wiltshire. The pet suffered serious injuries to his
intestines and required multiple operations, leaving the owners unsure
if he will survive. Police arrested a man on suspicion of carrying out
the attack.
News Guardian,
24 January 2012
A cat was
shot by an airgun for the third time
in North Shields, Tyne and Wear. After surviving two shootings in
the past, he was hit in the left front leg by an airgun pellet and may
have to have the leg amputated. The pet's owner has another cat that was
also shot four years ago.
This is Local London,
20 January 2012
Two cats were
shot with an airgun in Hextable,
Kent. The incidents were reportedly separate but occurred within four
hours of one another. One cat was hit in the face and may not survive,
while the second must have her leg amputated.
Scottish Sun,
13 January 2012
A cat was
shot in the face with an airgun in
Dumfries, Scotland. His jaw was broken in five places, the tip of
his tongue was torn of and a pellet was left lodged in his head. He is
expected to survive the attack following surgery.
Milton Keynes Citizen,
11 January 2012
A dog was
shot twice by an airgun in Milton
Keynes. The animal had been playing with another dog and a
three-year-old boy who was with the animals when the attack occurred.
The shot dog had surgery and she is expected to survive. No arrests were
made.
Dudley News,
4 January 2012
Someone
shot a cat with an air rifle in
Dudley, West Midlands. A pellet was found in the neck of the pet,
which had been rescued by her current owner in 2011. Following an
operation the cat is expected to make a full recovery, as the pellet
apparently missed her larynx by a millimetre -- had it connected, the
pellet reportedly would have been fatal.
Shoreham Herald,
28 November 2011
Someone
shot a foal with an airgun in
Soutwick, Wiltshire. The 18-month-old horse was left with an air
pellet lodged in her hind leg. The 'flabbergasted' owners said they were
concerned about the risk of infection and it wasn't immediately known
whether the pellet would cause long-term damage.
Daily Mail,
23 November 2011
A
cat was shot with an airgun in
Bracknell. He survived the incident as the pellet, which vets chose
to leave inside him, missed his spine.
Bracknell News,
23 November 2011
A
cat was shot with an airgun in
Bracknell. He survived the incident as the pellet, which vets chose
to leave inside him, missed his spine.
About My Area,
23 November 2011
A
cat was shot in the side with an air rifle in
Loughborough. The pet's owner noticed a pellet in its side and
was able to get it to the vet for treatment.
Leicester Mercury,
16 November 2011
A
cat died after being shot with an airgun in
Whitwick, Leicestershire. The owner took her to the vet after
noticing she was in pain, and the vet discovered an airgun pellet
lodged in her side. Despite the owner's hopes that she would make a full
recovery, the cat died in his arms the following day.
Hucknall Dispatch,
12 November 2011
A
cat lost an eye after being shot with an
airgun in
Hucknall, Nottingham. Vets were apparently able to save his life
because they operated immediately, but had to remove his left eye due to
the pellet wound.
The Visitor,
5 November 2011
A
cat was shot with an airgun in
Overton, Lancashire. A vet said the cat had a pellet lodged near his
spine and near his liver.
Burton Mail, 4 November 2011
A person
who shot and killed six wild birds in Burton is wanted as the
animals are protected by law. The perpetrator used an
airgun to shoot three geese, two
pigeons and a Mallard duck near a 40-acre lake, leaving them each to
suffer a 'lingering death' after hitting them with pellets.
Medway Messenger, 4 November 2011
A
cat was shot in the chest with an airgun
in Kent. He is expected to recover after undergoing a
successful operation.
Peterlee Mail, 2 November 2011
A
cat had its leg amputated after being shot with an
air rifle
in Hartlepool. An airgun pellet shattered his back right
leg, and the animal is now learning to live without it.
Buckinghamshire Advertiser, 28 October 2011
Someone
killed a sheep in Chartridge, Buckinghamshire by shooting it in
the head. Police said the attack weapon was either an
air weapon or a crossbow.
Daily Mail, 28 October 2011
Eric
Reeves, 68, admitted causing unnecessary suffering after he shot his
neighbour's cat with an air rifle in
Norfolk. The airgun pellet punctured the cat's intestine but it
survived. Reeves, a 'bird lover' who apparently shot the cat for chasing
birds, was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work and was fined
£400.
Scotsman, 27 October 2011
A family
of swans was shot by someone with an airgun
in Livingstone, Scotland. Two mated swans and a cygnet
were found with both parents having sustained severe injuries. One of
the adults was reportedly shot at least 14 times. Both adults' lives
hang in the balance, with vets unsure if they will survive the attack.
Salisbury Journal, 20 October 2011
A
cat was killed by an airgun
in Salisbury, Wiltshire. He was taken to hospital after
his owners found him injured, but the subsequent infection caused by the
attack left him beyond treatment. Unable to save him, a vet told the
Journal that the cat then died in pain.
North Wales Weekly,
20 October 2011
A
cat was shot by an air rifle
in Towyn, Wales. A pellet was lodged in her groin, causing
her to be unable to use her back legs. The cat underwent surgery to
remove the pellet and is recovering following the operation.
Maidenhead Advertiser, 20 October 2011
A
swan was killed when he was shot in the eye by someone with an
airgun
in Windsor. The body of the swan was found floating in the
river by a Swan Lifeline Rescue Centre worker who instantly recognised
the bird for his distinct features, but no aid could be administered as
the swan had already died.
Plymouth Herald, 19 October 2011
A
cat was shot in the head with an
airgun
in Devon. The pellet became lodged in his skull and was
removed in an operation. However, vets said the cat may also lose his
eye, which is close to the pellet wound.
Liverpool Echo, 15 October 2011
A
swan was shot in the neck with an air rifle
in Merseyside. Animal rescue teams reportedly spent
several days attempting to rescue the bird, eventually conducting an
operation to remove the air pellet from its neck. The animal was
released back to its home lake, where it is one of only two swans -- the
pair, nicknamed Bill and Maj, have been there for 20 years.
Uxbridge Gazette, 14 October 2011
A cat was
shot with an airgun in Northwood,
west London. A lead pellet was reportedly lodged behind his knee cap but
survived after an operation.
Tamworth Herald, 14 October 2011
A cat was
shot with an airgun and another was
set on fire in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The animal that suffered
the first wound was shot through the eye and had its jaw fractured. She
had her eye removed in a subsequent operation. Meanwhile, the other cat,
who is 15 years old, had his face set on fire. He survived but suffered
severe wounds.
Scarborough Evening News, 12 October 2011
A cat was
shot with an airgun
in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, leaving him blinded in
one eye. His owner was initially told the cat may have been hit by a car
or have a tumour, but vets found an airgun pellet during an operation.
Guardian, 7 October 2011
A
cat was shot in the head with an airgun
in Winkleigh, Devon. The cat survived the shooting,
thought to have been at close range. Winkleigh was recently proclaimed
the best place in England and Wales to raise children.
Bucks Free Press, 4 October 2011
A cat was
shot by an air rifle in Amersham,
Buckinghamshire. A pellet was reportedly lodged between his heart and
lungs, but although vets are unable to remove the pellet, he is expected
to survive.
Scarborough Evening News, 4 October 2011
A cat was
shot through the neck by an airgun
in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Although she had reportedly made
improvements since receiving treatment, she's unable to walk and has
severe injuries to her neck.
Harwich and Manningtree Standard, 30 September 2011
A
six-month-old kitten was shot by an airgun
in Harwich, Essex. She was left with a fractured leg but
is expected to survive following an operation.
Highland News,
29 September 2011
Two birds
were apparently shot by an airgun
near a school in Inverness. The birds, a pigeon and a seagull,
were both taken to a vet and put to sleep.
Peterborough Today,
27 September 2011
A cat was
shot in the neck by an airgun in
Peterborough. He escaped without severe physical injury, though his
vocal chords were affected, as the pellet missed the animal's vital
organs. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Medway Messenger,
26 September 2011
A cat was
badly injured after being shot in the neck by an
airgun in Kent. He reportedly is expected to
survive after undergoing surgery, but has been left with severe damage
to his nervous system.
Oxford Mail,
23 September 2011
A cat was
shot by an air rifle in Oxford.
A vet reported that the airgun pellet went into her abdominal cavity
and made three holes. She is expected to recover after receiving
treatment.
Hereford Times,
23 September 2011
Someone
shot a horse with an air rifle in
Hereford.
The 15-year-old rescue horse reportedly recovered from the attack,
escaping with a puncture mark still visible under his skin.
BBC News,
23 September 2011
A cat was
shot and killed by an airgun in
Skellingthorpe, near Lincoln.
Vets found an air pellet that had been shot through his heart.
Medway Messenger,
21 September 2011
A cat was
shot with an airgun in Kent.
Police said he had been hit with a pellet on 5 September and was in a
serious condition.
Scunthorpe Telegraph,
15 September 2011
A cat was
shot in the face by an airgun in
Scunthorpe, north Lincolnshire. A lead pellet was removed from his
cheek, just below the right eye. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Fenland Citizen,
10 September 2011
A cat was
shot by an air rifle in
Cambridgeshire, leaving a hole in his back leg. An initial report
from the vet indicated the cat would need to have the leg amputated.
The Courier,
7 September 2011
Two cats
were shot and killed by airguns in
Fife, Scotland over the past month. The owners of the cat from
the second incident saw her 'stumble out' after being shot and then die
an hour later. Meanwhile, a nearby cat owner found her cat lying outside
her home after she was also shot by an airgun in August.
Peterborough Today,
5 September 2011
A cat was
shot and killed by an airgun in
Eye Green, near Peterborough. He was put down by vets after an
airgun pellet became lodged in his spine.
Malvern Gazette,
2 September 2011
A cat was
shot by an airgun in Upper
Welland, Worcestershire. He had one leg amputated but survived after
10 days at the vets.
Huntingdon People,
29 July 2011
A swan was
found in Cambridgeshire after being shot with an
airgun.
The swan had seven airgun pellets in it and had to be put to sleep.
Scotsman News,
29 July 2011
A cat was
shot in the stomach with an airgun
in Whitburn, Scotland. It was the second such incident suffered
by the animal, who was also shot with four airgun pellets in 2008. The
cat's owner said their other pet, this cat's brother, has lost an eye
and a kidney due to airgun attacks, and she said a neighbour's cat was
recently shot and killed by airgun assailants.
Daily Mail,
28 July 2011
A hedgehog
was shot in the head with an air rifle
and also reportedly kicked by her assailants in Northwood,
Middlesex. The pellet can't be removed from her jaw and she suffered
broken legs when kicked, but is expected to recover.
The Wokingham Times,
28 July 2011
A kitten
was shot in the chest by what is believed to be an
air rifle
in Arborfield, Wakefield. Shot the same week he turned one, the
kitten should recover after receiving treatment from vets.
Morley Observer,
28 July 2011
A cat
was shot and killed by an airgun
in Morley, Norfolk. His owners found him lifeless, with pellets
in his side.
Buck Free Press,
27 July 2011
A swan
was shot in the back of the head by an airgun
in Windsor. It is currently receiving treatment and reportedly
stands a good chance of survival since the attack missed 'vital parts'
of the bird's head.
Pontefract and Castleford Express,
25 July 2011
A cat was
shot and killed by an airgun
in Pontefract, Wakefield. He was hit in the side and was already
dead when found by his owner.
St. Helens Star,
21 July 2011
A kitten
was shot with an airgun
in St. Helens, Merseyside. A pellet was lodged in his leg that
vets cannot remove, and while the cat survived the initial incident the
pellet could still move naturally and damage a main artery.
BBC News,
19 July 2011
A dog was
shot and killed with an airgun
in Hampshire. Police said two neighbours reported hearing a
single gunshot but the dog was found dead after being hit near the
ribcage.
Swindon Advertiser,
15 July 2011
A cat was
shot in the eye by an air rifle in
Swindon. The animal will have to have her eye removed, an
operation that will cost her owners
£1,200.
The attack mirrors one a month earlier in the same community in which a
pregnant cat was shot in the face.
West Briton,
14 July 2011
Someone
shot a pair of swans with an air rifle
in Cornwall. The birds were mating close to their nesting ground
and were left wounded and covered in blood by their attacker.
Wakefield Express,
14 July 2011
A cat was
killed in Wakefield when someone attacked it with an
airgun. Two of the owner's other cats were also found with
pellet gun wounds recently and she noted that the shootings occurred
where children regularly play.
Cambridge News,
14 July 2011
A cat was
shot by an air rifle in
Haverhill, Suffolk. He was struck in the leg but survived following
surgery.
Filey Mercury,
12 July 2011
A cat was
shot and killed by an air rifle in
Hunmanby, North Yorkshire. After being found by his owner with a
pellet injury he was taken to vets for treatment but later died.
South Wales Argus,
9 July 2011
Animals in
the city of Newport, Wales have suffered a series of attacks over
the past two weeks. A vet there said three seagulls, two pigeons, one
fox and a squirrel have been shot by airguns.
Coventry Telegraph,
7 July 2011
A cat in
Coventry was shot by an airgun.
She survived after three nights at the vet but lost an eye as a
result of the attack.
BBC News,
6 July 2011
An owl was
shot by an air rifle in
Gloucestershire but was successfully rescued by quarry workers
following a three-day search. One of the owl's wing bones had been
broken by a pellet but after an operation the bird made a full recovery.
Bournemouth Echo,
5 July 2011
A cat was
shot with an airgun in Dorset.
A pellet was lodged in his spine but he made a full recovery after an
operation.
Guardian,
6 July 2011
A kitten
was shot with an air rifle in
East Ewell, Surrey. She underwent surgery and is expected to make a
full recovery.
BBC News,
5 July 2011
Three
ducks were shot dead by airguns in
Nottinghamshire. Police said they received calls about shots
being fired in a park, before finding the victims, two ducklings and one
mallard.
