The RSPCA has launched an urgent appeal for information after a cat was shot with an airgun in Thornton Heath, leaving him injured and in distress.
The charity is urging anyone in the Thornton Heath area with information to come forward. Three-year-old Rio was believed to have been shot sometime between Saturday 2 August and Sunday 3 August.
The distressing incident has also prompted the charity to renew their call for better education and explanation of the law being given to anyone buying an air gun.
Rio’s owner Samra Zahir said: “This is the second time Rio’s been shot with airgun pellets in his short life. He had to undergo surgery after being shot three years ago. We thought the first time could’ve been an accident but for it to happen again is just so cruel.
“We took him to the vet after he showed up with a wound on 3 August, and they confirmed it was most likely caused by an airgun pellet, you can still feel the pellet under his skin. Rio is thankfully recovering well and we are checking for any signs of internal damage, but this time he appears to have had a lucky escape.
“We’re very concerned that there’s someone out there deliberately targeting animals, and we really don’t want any other animal or owner to go through this terrible trauma.”
The RSPCA is now hoping the public can support their enquiries as they seek to establish what happened to Rio.
South London Chief Inspector Mark Miles said: “As there have been no leads following our initial enquiries, we are hoping to hear from anyone who might be able to throw light on this terrible incident.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01600405.
Every year the RSPCA receives almost 1,000 calls to investigate cases and help hundreds of animals that are the victims of air gun attacks.
Mark said: “Cats and wildlife are the animals most susceptible to being shot simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them. Sadly, air gun attacks are not rare and the injuries caused can be horrific and often fatal.”
Recent data from the animal charity reveals that last year, there was a 30% increase in reported airgun attacks on cats across England and Wales, with 70 incidents being flagged to the RSPCA compared to 54 in 2023.
The charity’s data also reveals that London generated the second-highest number of incidents relating to animals attacked by air guns, catapults or crossbows, with 31 reports received between 2022 and 2024.
Mark added: “We want to see a world where every kind of animal is treated with compassion and respect and deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty should be consigned to the past.
“We continue to call for tighter controls on air weapons. This, along with better education and explanation of the law when buying an air gun, and requirements that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop could help relieve the problem.”
The warning comes as the RSPCA’s ‘Summer Cruelty Appeal’ continues, raising vital funds to support animals experiencing cruelty – including victims of weapons attacks.
The charity’s data reveals that between 2022 and 2024, there were 497 incidents reported to the RSPCA involving air guns, catapults and crossbows used to target all types of animals.
