Latest news with #RaeGellel
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Two pigeons shot on same Charlton street in suspected catapult attack
WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES Two pigeons have been found with near-identical wounds on the same Charlton street within days of each other, in what a local wildlife group says are deliberate attacks using a catapult or similar weapon. Both birds were discovered on Victoria Way, near Harold Gibbons Court, with injuries described as 'highly unlikely' to be natural. The first pigeon was rescued last week with a wound through its wing that lined up perfectly with a second circular wound to its flank. The second bird, admitted on Wednesday, was found just yards away with similar injuries and a suspected serious fracture. Rae Gellel of Greenwich Wildlife Network, who responded to both calls, said: 'Last week, we rescued a pigeon on Victoria Way. Today, we admitted another pigeon from virtually the same location, with almost identical injuries. 'This time, sadly, the pigeon appears to have a serious fracture.' 'Although we initially suspected an air gun, an x-ray found no pellets or foreign objects, leading us to suspect it may be a catapult or some other projectile. 'The vet agreed that such wounds are highly unlikely to be from a natural cause.' Both birds were found outside flats where bird feeders are present, potentially making pigeons easy targets. 'If you have any information about these animal cruelty incidents in SE7, please make a report to the police,' Rae said. You can quote the crime reference number: 01/7353809/25. The Charlton incidents come amid a surge in reports of animals maimed or killed by slingshots and catapults across south east London and north Kent. Greenwich Wildlife Network says it is now responding to new cases almost every day. Rae told News Shopper: 'It's quite rare for us now to get through a week without hearing of at least one animal being injured or killed by catapult. The attacks have absolutely exploded.' Known hotspots include Priory Gardens in Orpington, Danson Park in Bexleyheath, Southmere Lake in Thamesmead, and Brooklands Lake in Dartford. Victims include swans, geese, squirrels, foxes, pigeons and even family pets. Both birds were discovered on Victoria Way, near Harold Gibbons Court, with injuries described as 'highly unlikely' to be natural (Image: Greenwich Wildlife Network) Rae added: 'Priory Gardens has always been an issue. Locals have been reporting attacks constantly. But in the past few years, rather than those reports deterring them, there's even more than ever.' Volunteers say the culprits are usually teenage boys aged 12 to 18, firing rocks, bolts or ball bearings at close range Rae said: 'We've seen girls lure the birds out with food so the boys can shoot them at point-blank range. There's no empathy. It's terrifying.' Many of the animals never survive. Some are left to suffer for days before dying. Others, like a duck shot in the head at Southmere Lake in 2023, die on the spot, leaving behind dependent young that don't survive. Despite legal protections under the Animal Welfare Act and the Wildlife and Countryside Act, arrests and prosecutions are rare. Rae explained: 'Over the years we've made so, so many police reports, and we've directed locals to do the same. 'It's very rare that we get any kind of positive outcome. A lot of the time they're just taken home and given a warning. 'They're back in the park the next day. It's clearly not a very effective deterrent. It sends a message that they're not scared of the police, that the repercussions don't mean anything.' Two arrests were recently made in Orpington, which volunteers hope signals a shift. Rae said: That was fantastic to see because it's scary to be arrested, being taken home just isn't. 'People need to understand it's not a joke.' Greenwich Wildlife Network and other animal welfare groups are now backing a petition calling for new laws to restrict the sale and carrying of catapults in public, similar to existing knife legislation. The petition has already passed 18,000 signatures. Rae added: 'People believe we live in a country where animal cruelty isn't tolerated but that's not the reality. Once they see what's really happening in their parks, they're outraged — and rightly so.'
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Protest over animals maimed and killed by catapults in Orpington park
A protest is due to take place in Orpington this weekend in response to a series of disturbing catapult attacks on wildlife, where animals have been found maimed, seriously injured or killed. The demonstration has been organised by Rae Gellel and Greenwich Wildlife Network and will be held at 1.30pm on Sunday, April 6, at Priory Gardens. Campaigners are calling on residents to join them at the main gate by Carlton Parade to distribute leaflets, speak to the public, and raise awareness. According to Greenwich Wildlife Network, Priory Gardens has become a hotspot for catapult attacks, with incidents reported multiple times per week. The group says that over the years, countless animals have been maimed or killed in the park, often suffering from horrific fractures, wounds and missing eyes. They say the violence is not only impacting wildlife but has also affected people, pets, cars and businesses in surrounding roads. Since its founding in 2018, the charity says it has received almost daily reports of animals being shot at with catapults in parks and green spaces across the boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley. According to Greenwich Wildlife Network, culprits are often groups of boys aged between 12 and 18. The most frequent victims are swans and geese, but foxes, squirrels and pigeons have also been targeted. The weapons used include ball bearings, rocks, and even nuts and bolts. The charity describes injuries ranging from fractured bones to animals losing eyes or dying outright from head trauma. Volunteers have sometimes spent days or even weeks attempting to rescue injured animals using specialist equipment such as kayaks and net guns. In some cases, the animals are never caught and are left to suffer for days before dying from their injuries. In 2023, a group of youths shot a mallard in the head with a catapult at Southmere Lake in front of multiple witnesses. The duck died shortly after, leaving behind six ducklings that volunteers were unable to catch, and which were later presumed dead. In 2021, a Canada goose was shot in the neck at Danson Park and thrown into a bin while still alive. There have been many more recent examples with several swan deaths and foxes found with multiple injuries. The group says that despite repeated police reports and laws protecting wild birds under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Animal Welfare Act, perpetrators continue to return to parks and carry out attacks in broad daylight with impunity. They say the same problem is being reported by other rescue organisations across the UK, including the Swan Sanctuary and South Essex Wildlife Hospital. Some social media accounts have even been found proudly sharing images of wildlife that appear to have been shot and killed with catapults. A parliamentary petition has been launched calling for it to be made illegal to carry catapults in public places, with or without ammunition, and for the sale of catapults and related ammunition to be restricted. At the time of writing, the petition had received more than 18,000 signatures.
