THE RSPCA is warning pet owners across Wales to be vigilant this summer with fears of pets being targeted in deliberate weapon attacks - and wildlife also in the firing line.

Across England and Wales, there were 896 incidents reported to the RSPCA involving air weapons between 2020 and 2023 - with 66 of these reported in Wales.

Of these 66 incidents in Wales, seven were reported from Conwy, four from Gwynedd, two from Denbighshire and one from Anglesey.

The warning comes as the RSPCA's No Animal Deserves Cruelty summer campaign continues to raise vital funds supporting the charity’s work to tackle animal cruelty.

Crossbows have seen the biggest increase in use in attacks, with 11 incidents in 2023, compared to seven in 2022.

Catapult/slingshot incidents also show an upward trend (27 to 28).

RSPCA lead wildlife officer, Geoff Edmond, said: “Weapon attacks are horrific, but what we see is likely only the tip of the iceberg.

“It is unspeakably cruel and totally unacceptable to shoot animals for ‘fun’ like this - or to harm them for target practice, and sadly we receive too many reports across Wales.

“While most people will be appalled by attacking animals in this way, sadly the RSPCA’s experience shows that there are people out there who are deliberately targeting wildlife, pets and farm animals with guns, catapults and crossbows.

“These weapons cause horrific pain and suffering, but we are doing all we can to change things.”

Between 2022 and 2023, wild birds bore the brunt of weapon attacks in the UK, with numbers increasing from 190 to 214.

Attacks on dogs also increased from 11 to 30 and from six to 32 for farm animals.