Birds killed in second suspected catapult attack

The RSPCA said a moorhen and a goose were killed after being shot with ball bearings from catapults

Two birds have died in Kent after a second suspected catapult attack in a matter of weeks, the RSPCA have said.

The charity said a moorhen and a goose were killed after being shot with ball bearings from catapults near a pond off Castleridge Drive in Greenhithe.

The moorhen was found dead with severe wounds, including ball bearings in the its head, and a Canada goose sustained serious injuries and had to be put down, the charity said.

The RSPCA said Kent had become a "hotspot for weapon attacks on animals".

RSPCA inspector Kirsten Ormerod: "It seems both birds experienced horrendous injuries before dying, which shows the consequences of these sorts of attacks."

"Sadly, we fear this was not a one-off incident; as just a week earlier, another goose was shot and killed with a catapult."

Geoff Edmond, RSPCA's lead wildlife officer, said there were 896 incidents of weapon attacks on animals reported to the charity in England and Wales between 2020 and 2023, with Kent being the second most prevalent area, behind London.

He added: "These weapon attacks are horrific, but what we see is likely only the tip of the iceberg, and we are particularly concerned about the situation in this region."