Nearly 140 animals were shot using airguns in the Midlands last year

Nearly 140 animals were shot using airguns in the Midlands last year, new RSPCA figures show.

The animal charity is now calling for the licensing of airguns after they revealed they received 7671 reports of animals being shot in 2018 across England and Wales.

Cats bore the brunt of the shootings with 258 incidents, with pigeons coming second with 112 incidents.

The RSPCA is repeating its call for airgun licensing now, as incidents rise significantly during summer months, when there are more daylight hours.

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• Litter of one-week-old kittens found dumped inside bin on hottest day of the year

• Rare white squirrel left ‘screaming in pain’ after she was shot in the head with an air gun

• RSPCA warns against 'crisis' of dumped animals over summer