Cats Protection League - Air Gun Licensing Call

[Woodsmoke]

wonder what the law is if someone where to shoot one on their property?

As far the law goes, feral cats are fair game, but are subject to the provisions of the 1996 Wild Mammals Act, Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) 2002, Hunting Act 2004, Animal Welfare Act 2006, Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) 2006, and Wildlife and natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (from Game Wildlife Conservation Trust )

I should think domestic and feral cast may be quite hard to distinguish between on occasion, so I imagine there are quite a few cases of 'Shoot, shovel, and Shut Up' where Tiddles is concerned . . . .

 

[tackb]

is my 308 cat legal ?

are cats classed as AOLQ ?

can I use amax?

 

[Woodsmoke]

can I use amax?

Yes. Headshots only

 

[Digger686]

Just one other point, when I studied statistics (lies) a sample was deemed to be viable (by a statistician) with a quantity as low as 22 responses. 1000 vets responding will be deemed to be more than a viable percentage, probably definitive as a result. I suspect that the OP's intent in his admirable letter may well be hijacked on the basis that the mathematics of the statistics can be 'proven' using accepted tests and protocols.

A 5% sample size may well be sufficiently large to be considered statistically significant. In other words, it could be representative of the experiences of all 19,682 vets.

In reality, there are potentially bigger flaws with the statistic as it is quoted:

How were the 1000 vets selected before being asked for their view? Was it a random sample? Or did they approach members of the CPL who identified themselves as vets?

How many vets were contacted about this issue and what percentage actually replied? Those with an "axe to grind" on an issue are more likely to respond, skewing the outcome.

What time period was considered - if a vet typically practices for 40 years and in that time treats one cat with an air rifle injury, is that evidence of an epidemic? Or were they asked whether they had treated such injuries within the last year / 5 years / 10 years?

Lies, damned lies and statistics!

 

[Woodsmoke]

Lies, damned lies and statistics!

Yep. 76.235% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

Including that one

 

[nun_hunter]

If you run over a cat, legally you do not have to stop as they are not legally defined as property, as opposed to a dog.
i wonder what the law is if someone where to shoot one on their property?

i find many animal charities have almost fanatical people in positions of power and that results in PR that is misleading

Not strictly true as cats are legally property of the owner just like dogs and other pets and as such you could be fouund guilty of criminal damage if you shot one.

In relation to an RTC they aren't on the list of reportable animals and aren't considered "constructed property" (see below) in the context of the Road Traffic Act which is why you don't have to stop/report if you hit one, although personally I'd like to make sure it wasn't suffering and if there were owner's details I'd like to think I was brave enough to tell them.

"The law defines a reportable road traffic collision as an accident involving a mechanically-propelled vehicle on a road or other public area which causes:

• Injury or damage to anybody - other than the driver of that vehicle,
• Injury or damage to an animal- other than one being carried on that vehicle (an animal is classed as a horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog).
• Damage to a vehicle - other than the vehicle which caused the accident.
• Damage to property constructed on, affixed to, growing in, or otherwise forming part of the land where the road is."

 

[enfieldspares]

Oddly although I have had the chance I could never bring myself to shoot the few feral cats on our shoot. Believing, rightly or wrongly, that on balance they did more good than harm. I let the pass unmolested.

 

[Buchan]

In my 30 odd year's experience, cat injuries are: other cats, cars, air gun pellets in about that order. Finding airgun pellets in cats during Xray for something else is not uncommon. As most of these are urban cats you have to conclude it's unpleasant people taking pot shots at the cats. I've rarely seen a pellet in the head or neck, mostly chest, limb or abdomen. I'd like to see fewer injuries like this, but how it is achieved is something I can't answer.

 

[tackb]

In my 30 odd year's experience, cat injuries are: other cats, cars, air gun pellets in about that order. Finding airgun pellets in cats during Xray for something else is not uncommon. As most of these are urban cats you have to conclude it's unpleasant people taking pot shots at the cats. I've rarely seen a pellet in the head or neck, mostly chest, limb or abdomen. I'd like to see fewer injuries like this, but how it is achieved is something I can't answer.

Ban cats ?

 

[vizslamad]

Well talk about giving fodder to the antis. Fairly clear as to the replies on this thread that cats are public enemy no1 and should be dealt with accordingly but what about the PR value to this. As is often reminded to all this is a forum that can be viewed by all, and yes we have got cats and they earn their keep. Cost a damn site more than a mouse / rat trap but they work all the time. Another plus point, I like them. Bugger, let the cat out of the bag now then haven't I!

 

[JockStalk]

I've rarely seen a pellet in the head or neck, mostly chest, limb or abdomen. I'd like to see fewer injuries like this, but how it is achieved is something I can't answer.

I think the answer is much more practice followed by a very tough range test in the CSC1. Humane head shots only.

 

[VSS]

Well talk about giving fodder to the antis. Fairly clear as to the replies on this thread that cats are public enemy no1 and should be dealt with accordingly but what about the PR value to this. As is often reminded to all this is a forum that can be viewed by all, and yes we have got cats and they earn their keep. Cost a damn site more than a mouse / rat trap but they work all the time. Another plus point, I like them. Bugger, let the cat out of the bag now then haven't I!

Yes, I like cats too. Much better than dogs, in fact.
However, our transient population of semi-domesticated farm cats (essential rodent control) does get out of hand from time to time, and requires the occasional cull.

 

[Taff]

There is no doubt cats have there place, on farms and as pets, but in the wild are very destructive to birds, here in NZ we have a policy of a cat in the Bush, is a dead cat. When I was in the UK on one farm I shot 18 in one night, they were mainly suffering from a type of mange .

 

[john.g]

There is no doubt cats have there place, on farms and as pets, but in the wild are very destructive to birds, here in NZ we have a policy of a cat in the Bush, is a dead cat. When I was in the UK on one farm I shot 18 in one night, they were mainly suffering from a type of mange .

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