RSPCA not involved in cat shooting case
In response to Ruth Downs' letter about cats being shot (Punishment was "absolute disgrace", May 12), the RSPCA would like to point out that it was not involved in the investigation of this case.
If a complaint about animal suffering is made directly to us we will investigate and make a decision, based on the available evidence, on whether to take a prosecution or not.
However, in this case the police investigated and issued a caution to the person responsible.
In most cases, once a police caution has been issued and accepted, we are not allowed to prosecute for the same offence.
Those who are concerned about animals which may be in pain, distress or being cruelly treated, should continue to contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
Sophie Wilkinson, RSPCA regional press officer, RSPCA Regional HQ, PO Box 60, Peterborough, PE1 5SZ
NOW that all the objections to the shooting of two cats have been aired, let us consider why this may have happened in the first place.
The culprit is apparently not some teenager on the loose with a cheap air gun. was he or she perhaps protecting wildlife or property from these predators?
Many people regard cats as a menace. they roam at will and are cited, along with magpies and sparrowhawks, as being one of the principal destroyers of small garden birds.
However, I am certainly not condoning the shooting, as there are other methods of keeping these pests away from birds and newly- planted seed beds. Purfleet, in your column of May 12, states that the shooting was carried out, with an air rifle poked out of a bedroom window. Now I don't recall this being mentioned in your original article, so how does he know how the shooting was carried out? However, it sounds to me as if the air rifle was being aimed at a garden where there might be bird feeders, nesting birds, newly-planted seed beds etc.
Perhaps a reply from the shooter, name and address supplied, of course, might be appropriate!
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
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