Group of boys 'torture' birds in Kent

Residents in Maidstone were horrified by a recent incident where a group of boys allegedly 'tortured' and killed birds with catapults by the River Medway.

Witnesses, including an unnamed woman and Wendy Burniston-Jones, reported seeing the boys, who appeared to be aged 11 to 15, using catapults to shoot at pigeons and brutally handling a Mallard, including kicking and throwing it against a wall.

According to Kent Online, the incident resulted in the deaths of both the duck and a pigeon. It was reported to the police but the suspects had already left by the time officers arrived.

The dead Mallard in Maidstone (via Kent Online).

'Horrifying' scenes

The mother, who had moved to Kent from London and witnessed the event while preparing to go kayaking, expressed her shock and upset at the boys' actions, describing the scene as horrifying and feeling deeply disturbed by the cruelty displayed.

Her distress was shared on Facebook, where many expressed anger and heartbreak over the cruelty to wildlife.

Wendy Burniston-Jones also witnessed the boys' behaviour and expressed a desire to see catapults banned and for police to have the power to confiscate such items from children.

Wildlife cruelty

Maidstone councillor Rachel Rodwell said that the targeting of wildlife is a broader issue in the area, affecting not just the River Medway but also places such as East Farleigh and Allington. She highlighted the challenge of catching the perpetrators, as they often leave before police arrive, and described the acts as "mindless and cruel".

Kent Police confirmed it received a report of the incident and attended the scene but were unable to locate the suspects.

The use of catapults is not illegal, but causing unnecessary suffering to animals is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.