Anger as Laois youths kill birds with slingshots
A dead rook that was killed by a slingshot in Mountmellick.The image was sent to the Tidy Towns group by a concerned follower
CRUEL youths are targeting wild birds with slingshots in Mountmellick, according to disturbing reports received by Tidy Towns volunteers.
Birds have been killed or injured by a group of youngsters using catapults with marbles and other projectiles, as they roam around town taking aim at crows, rooks and other wildlife.
Mountmellick Tidy Towns is urging people to contact gardaí if they see the group taking shots at birds, which is not only cruelty to animals but also illegal under the Wildlife Act.
In a social media post this week, the committee said: ‘It's been brought to our attention that there's a group of young people going around using weapons.
‘It appears that this group of people are using these weapons - sling shots, marbles etc - and are intentionally aiming them at birds, intending to cause harm.’
The committee appealed: ‘Please, if you see this happening, don't ignore. Take a picture, call the Garda and report it.’
Kitty Creighton of the Tidy Towns group said the birds are sadly an easy target and there is evidence that they are being injured and killed by the youngsters. She regularly feeds birds near her home in the town and has been told that the youths are often in the area.
She said: ‘Anyone who walks by my house will tell you, the amount of birds here is unreal and an easy target.’
The Tidy Towns group post included a photograph of a dead rook with a slingshot injury. The image was sent in by a concerned follower.
The post on Wednesday 8 July prompted anger and dismay from dozens of followers, with some describing the group as ‘little brats’ and ‘thugs’ and others describing their behaviour as 'shocking', 'really sad' and 'shameful'.
All wild birds are protected under law, including crows, pigeons and other species some regard as vermin. Intentionally killing them is illegal, except under specific derogation rules.
While often regarded as toys, slingshots or catapults are classified as illegal offensive weapons if they are carried in public without a lawful excuse, or if used to cause harm to people, property or wildlife.
