RSPCA warns cat owners of summer air gun attacks
In the same period, there were nine reported attacks in Surrey, seven in West Sussex, and three in East Sussex. In Greater London, there were 31 reported attacks.
'Pain and suffering'
RSPCA wildlife partnerships manager Geoff Edmond said: "Weapon attacks on animals are horrific, but what we see is likely only the tip of the iceberg."It is unspeakably cruel and totally unacceptable to shoot animals for fun - or to harm them for target practice."These weapons cause horrific pain and suffering."
One incident reported to the charity was of a moorhen and a goose, which died after being shot with ball bearings from catapults in Greenhithe, Kent, in April.The moorhen was found dead with severe wounds, while the goose also had serious injuries and had to be put to sleep, it added.
The charity has released the figures to raise awareness of its summer cruelty appeal, as it said attacks on animals are reported more at this time of year than any other.It said it also welcomed Kent Police's catapult crackdown initiative, to tackle the use of catapults to harm people and wildlife or cause criminal damage.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
UK's first secure school for youngsters in custody is forced to close after weapon-making child inmates 'kicked down every internal door' and had 'free rein on building'
England's first secure school which promised children in custody 'relentless love' instead of punishment has temporarily closed amid safety concerns. Staff at Oasis Restore in Medway, Kent complained prisoners have kicked down every internal door and now practically have 'free rein around the building'. They added that the inmates also regularly make weapons out of metal objects and assault employees at the site. Oasis Restore, which opened less than a year ago, was designed to offer therapeutic care and education to 12 to 18 year olds convicted of serious crimes. It was launched as a 'revolution in youth justice', replacing cells with bedrooms and guards with restorative practitioners. However, Channel 4 News has now revealed that the school will temporarily halt placements following an Ofsted monitoring visit that raised concerns about safety. The decision means that children currently being held at the site will be sent to other youth custody facilities. One employee told the programme: 'It was meant to be groundbreaking and had the potential to be fantastic but what was sold as a dream has turned into a nightmare. 'It's a very unsafe environment for the children and the staff. 'Every internal door in the place has been kicked through so the children virtually have free rein round the building. 'They make weapons out of sharped brush handles or metal objects. You can see the fear in staffs' eyes.' Another added: 'Quite a lot of staff leave very quickly and are not replaced quickly enough. It is hard to live out the ethos. 'The kids come with a lot of trauma and issues that affect their behaviour, which can be extreme at times. 'Staff are just making sure that they don't hurt each other or themselves and trying to engage them in activity. 'Kids need clear boundaries and they need to be ready to engage to come here.' Staff at Oasis Restore have reported rising disorder, assaults, broken doors and weapon-making at the school built on the former Medway Secure Training Centre site. Revelations also include prisoners refusing to go behind their doors on lock up and refusing to go to education. It is understood this has led on some occasions to managers instructing staff to allow them to stay out of their rooms and to play football outside for the eight hour period. Mark Fairhurst from the Prison Officers' Association said: 'Assaults are rife, assaults on staff are not getting reported to the police including sexual assaults on staff, managers are trying to cover things up and the managers are encouraging staff not to report things to the authorities or indeed go sick when they're seriously assaulted.' 'It's completely chaotic, it's out of control, it's disordered and there are too many incidents of violence to the people who work there', he added. According to Channel 4 News, Oasis Restore will be temporarily closed while the internal doors are replaced at the site. The school said its closure was a 'preemptive decision' to avoid any 'serious incidents' taking place on site. A spokesperson for Oasis Restore said: 'Oasis Restore is a revolution in youth justice, delivering integrated, therapeutic education and care for children in the criminal justice system. 'We exist to deliver the highest standards of care and learning for young people with incredibly complex and challenging life experiences and needs. 'On a recent Ofsted visit, inspectors highlighted how children feel safe and supported, and this is thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, who are building a new model of restorative justice from the ground up. 'However, Ofsted also rightly raised concerns about issues with the built environment and the effectiveness of internal doors. 'Whilst staff have done all that they can to mitigate against these issues, it has become clear that the installation of new doors will take well beyond the summer. 'Therefore, we have made the decision to stop all placements at Restore, and our current children will be relocated to other settings within the youth custody estate. 'This is pre-emptive action to avoid any serious incidents occurring on site whilst we wait for the new doors to be fitted. 'The decision was not taken lightly and reflects our commitment to safety, transparency, and ethical leadership. 'Our mission, regardless of our building infrastructure, is to deliver the highest standards of care and learning for children who require constant dedicated support from reliable adults, who they can build positive, trusted relationships with. 'This work will indeed continue after our internal doors are replaced.' The closure marks a significant moment in youth justice reform, with calls to learn from the setback rather than abandon the secure school model. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'We are taking the issues at the Secure School extremely seriously and we have been working with Oasis Restore to get them addressed. 'We are working at pace to fix doors and have already reduced the number of children held there because of these concerns and now all young offenders are being moved to other secure settings.'
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Fish thieving gull swooping on seaside chippy 'kicked to death' by angry custome
A daring gull which swooped on an unsuspecting fish and chip customer was caught then brutally kicked to death. The herring gull snatched his supper outside a fish and chip shop at Marine Parade in Barmouth, Wales at around 1pm on 4 August. The bird was then attacked and kicked before later dying, the RSPCA has said. The animal welfare charity has asked for help identifying a curly-haired man, about 5ft 10in (1.78m) and wearing a black jacket, who is of interest to the case. They are asking for any witnesses to get in touch. Gulls engage in a feeding tactic called kleptoparasitism – stealing food from others. This happens most of all in coastal towns, where there are a large number of potential targets. Researchers at the University of Essex have identified some of the key factors why gulls decide to snatch our meals. Predictable food availability – people often eat in the same locations at regular times. Most thefts take place between 12pm and 1pm during lunchtime. – people often eat in the same locations at regular times. Most thefts take place between 12pm and 1pm during lunchtime. Location – long seafronts may lead to more thefts. This is because they allow gulls to get away more easily after stealing. – long seafronts may lead to more thefts. This is because they allow gulls to get away more easily after stealing. Season – gulls thefts are more common in busy tourist periods, often visitors will spend more time eating in the open. Gulls do not always get to the food they are targeting. Research shows they are successful 50% of the time. Julia Dalgleish, RSPCA animal rescue officer, said: 'Gulls and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to do anything that causes suffering to gulls. 'Sadly, many people have an unfavourable opinion of gulls – but these are intelligent animals who form strong social bonds with.' The attack comes after a baby seagull was found dead in Liverpool city centre on July 1. The RSPCA said they received 'distressing' CCTV footage of a man who allegedly smashed a seagull's head against a rubbish bin and threw it inside. More Trending It is claimed the baby gull, which was unable to fly, was picked up from the pavement before being 'hit with some force'. The RSCPA are now looking to speak to a man in connection with the gull's death. The alleged attack took place after 8pm on July 1 in the Whitechapel area of Liverpool. Louise Showering, an inspector for the RSPCA who is leading the investigation, said: 'We've received upsetting footage of a juvenile gull, who was unable to fly, allegedly being picked up from the pavement and hit with some force against a bin in Liverpool. The bird was later retrieved from inside but had sadly died.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Prisoners 'slaughtered and ate' guinea pigs while working at animal shelter MORE: Elephant tramples tourist 'who took its photo with flash on' MORE: The UK's £12 train journey where you can see polar bears from your seat
Powys County Times
4 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Mid Wales: RSPCA appeal as gull kicked to death in Barmouth
The RSPCA is appealing for witnesses and information after a gull was kicked to death outside a fish and chips shop in Wales A gull was killed at Marine Parade, Barmouth, having been kicked in the head by someone after taking a fish off someone's plate and dropping it on the floor, with the gull colliding with a parked car, which he landed behind shortly before dying. The incident took place on Monday, August 4 at around 1pm, with RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Julia Dalgleish making enquiries in the local area after the incident was reported to the animal welfare charity. She said: 'This upsetting incident took place in a public place and would have been a very distressing incident to witness. 'We are looking for anyone with first-hand information, which could help our enquiries, to give us a call on our appeals line on 0300 123 8018, and quote 01596699. 'We'd also like to thank those who showed kindness towards this gull as we understand the bird's body was removed away from onlookers. 'Sadly, many people have an unfavourable opinion of gulls - but these are intelligent animals who form strong social bonds with each other, and deserve to be treated with respect. 'We would also like to remind people that gulls and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, It is illegal to do anything that causes suffering to gulls, or that damages or destroys active nests.' The RSPCA is also asking for help to find a man who may be able to help provide information to assist these enquiries. He is around 5 feet 10, has curly hair, is of medium build, and was wearing a black jacket. Anyone who can help is urged to call the appeal line number on 0300 123 8018.
