Surely people should know that it is unlawful to shoot an animal, yet this barbarous practice is on the increase. Pellet guns are far too easy to come by. Catapults are homemade and can inflict cruel damage. Vervet monkeys continue to be shot regularly. Calls are received from many different areas, the latest at the time of writing being from Hillary. An inspector was called out because someone was firing at monkeys. When he arrived, the apparent culprit denied having a pellet gun, but a neighbour was adamant that this was not true. The accused person received a severe warning.

We cannot repeat often enough that no firing of weapons is allowed in the entire municipal area. It is far too easy to purchase a pellet gun. No licence is needed, but regardless of that, it is irresponsible and utterly thoughtless to fire a pellet gun in a built-up area, and parents should assume responsibility for drilling this into their male children. Even young children are often found to be carrying catapults and shooting at birds in trees. Some of these children are as young as eight years old. They know perfectly well that they are doing wrong, because when they see the SPCA vehicle they take to their heels. They know that their catapults will be confiscated and their parents warned, so one cannot put it down to ignorance. Parents need to behave responsibly about allowing their children access to weapons of any kind. Violence begets violence, and we can do without this kind of encouragement in our society.

On 6 May, the Sunday Tribune published an article by Keith Ross on the shooting of vervet monkeys with pellet guns, leaving them with serious and painful wounds that often lead to a slow death. Some of these small creatures are literally sprayed with pellets and left to suffer grievously. The random sale of pellet guns must be stopped. In a recent incident, a kingfisher was shot in the wing. It was taken to CROW in Yellowwood Park for treatment. CROW is renowned for its restoration to health of fledgelings and injured birds and small animals. In another incident, an owner brought his dog to the SPCA. She had been shot in the hindquarters by a neighbour wielding a handgun. Her leg and hip were shattered and by the next morning had seriously deteriorated. (See photograph on page 18) The owner was terribly upset.

The dog, despite being in great pain, was gentle and quiet, but sadly she could not be saved. What the neighbour gained by shooting this animal and causing her death mystifies the imagination. She was so brave and endured her pain uncomplainingly. She was also pregnant. Jacqui stroked her head while examining her. She remained utterly docile when Jacqui moved her for the vet to examine her, although movement must have caused her considerable pain. A docket has been opened. Why did the perpetrator shoot this lovely creature? Because he said she tried to take a piece of meat from his braai. She was well-fed and in good condition. A charge has been laid by the Chatsworth owner of five cats that were all shot with a pellet gun. Two died, and the others are on the mend. A charge was laid against a neighbour who has an aviary. The way to deal with the situation would have been to add a second inexpensive chicken wire fence ten cms or so from the wire of the aviary. .... more reports »