New campaign demands an end to catapult cruelty

Too many animals across the county are being injured or killed by people using catapults and it needs to stop. 

That’s the view of Cllr Connie Nolan, Canterbury City Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Safety and Enforcement who, in a statement, outlined the ongoing problem with people who target wildlife in our area and announced the launch of Canterbury City Council’s End Catapult Cruelty campaign. 

The campaign is backing calls from across the country, the county and nationally for a ban on people using catapults in public places and for shops and websites to stop selling them to anyone aged under 18. 

Speaking after Monday’s meeting of the Cabinet, she said: “Residents have reported people, especially young people, targeting the wildlife in our district.  

“Innocent animals are being killed and injured in our district and across Kent and that is unacceptable. Something needs to be done to make it stop. 

“We banned the carrying and sale of knives. We can do it with catapults. 

“The serious concerns for the welfare of the animals coming under attack or being used as target practice are growing and growing – the government must act. 

“Unfortunately, it’s not just animals, catapults are also being used to damage cars and buses. It has to stop before someone gets seriously hurt. 

“While we are waiting for the law to be changed, shops and websites have an overwhelming moral obligation to put a voluntary ban in place and require proof of age before selling a catapult.” 

Sarah Jenner is a volunteer with The Bird Magnets of Bubble2bay and has helped rehabilitate injured birds for the past six years. 

She offers them a permanent home if they cannot be released because of their injuries. This includes a herring gull. 

Sarah is currently nursing a female mallard duck who was recently shot with a ball bearing in Herne Bay.  

Another volunteer is raising three mallard ducklings whose mother was shot dead with a catapult.  

Sarah said: “We support this campaign because we are absolutely appalled and disgusted by how animals are being treated, often driven by ridiculous trends on Tik Tok and Instagram.” 

The council is calling on councillors, MPs, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, animal welfare charities and, most importantly, members of the public to sign its petition here.  

There is currently no legal minimum age to buy, own or carry a catapult. 

In law, catapults are classed as offensive weapons if they are being carried with intent to cause harm. 

And causing unnecessary suffering is a criminal offence as well as killing wild birds or wildlife with any weapon unless you have a licence. 

Published: 8 July 2025