Catapults used to harm pigeons in social media trend

Pigeons have been injured and killed by people using catapults amid growing concern about a social media trend, a charity has said.

The attacks happened over the last four weeks – and there could be many more cases than those officially recorded, said Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre (VWHRC) in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.

VWHRC said there was a "troubling" social media trend showing young people filming themselves harming wildlife and sharing videos online.

It comes after animal welfare charity Naturewatch Foundation launched a campaign calling on retailers and the government to stop under-18s from buying catapults and slingshots online.

It is not known whether the recent pigeon attacks were filmed and posted on social media.

Naturewatch Foundation, based in Cheltenham, said wildlife rescue centres across the UK were continuing to report a rise in the number of animals harmed and killed by catapults and crossbows.

Swans, birds, and domestic pets were also being harmed, it said.

VWHRC said a pigeon was brought in on 17 February after being found grounded in Gloucestershire, with an infected wound consistent with being shot.

Despite treatment, which cost the charity £142.50, the pigeon had to be put down due to its injuries.

VWHRC said a person brought another pigeon in after seeing it get hit with a catapult by a group of children on 2 March in Gloucester.

The pigeon had no fractures despite a neck wound, and the charity hopes to release it as the wound heals.

It said there were "probably many more cases of shot victims" but they record them as shot only if they are certain.

A VWHRC spokesperson said: "As an organisation, we are aware of troubling trends on TikTok in particular where young people film themselves harming wildlife and share the footage online.

"Establishing a minimum purchase age of 18 for these weapons would undoubtedly help prevent such cruel and senseless harm being inflicted on our wildlife."

According to TikTok, any form of animal abuse is prohibited on their platform.

TikTok said Between July and September 2025, 95.5% of this type of content was removed before being reported and a report from 2024 said instances of this type of abuse was "significantly lower" on TikTok than other social media websites.

Catapults are not listed as a prohibited weapon under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Earlier this month, Naturewatch Foundation spoke to MPs about growing evidence that catapults were being deliberately misused to injure and kill wildlife.

It said the items were unregulated in England and Wales, with no minimum age for purchase and no controls on sale or power.

Jim Clark, wildlife crime campaign manager at the foundation, said: "These items being sold are not toys and it is not harmless mischief.

"Modern catapults are capable of lethal force.

"Legislative failure to tackle this issue is costing wildlife their lives, traumatising communities and putting unnecessary pressure on already overstretched police forces.

"It's a loophole that urgently needs closing."

A government spokesperson said: "It's illegal to harm a wild bird or protected species of wild mammal.

"Catapults should not be used for illegal purposes, whether against people, wildlife or property.

"We continue to keep all relevant legislation under review in the interest of public safety."

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