Cat's Eyes on Cruelty

The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) claims that weapon attacks on cats in England and Wales, doubled in the first half of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Attacks on mammals, in general, also seem to have increased by 23%. Weapons used included air guns; slingshot; catapult and crossbows (https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/08/rspca-urges-vigilance-as-weapon-attacks-on-cats-more-than-double ). Six months is, however, a very short time period. In deed, taking only the first 6 months of a year, could distort the picture. Dealing with relatively small numbers of reported attacks (44 cats, in 2024), can also produce big percentage changes. There will also be differences in the reporting of these unpleasant acts. RSPCA operatives in different parts of the country (e.g. urban and rural), may be more or less likely to be informed of local instancies. Attackers who miss and/or only slightly wound the animal, are likely to go unrecorded. A small number of participants may account for these crimes. Much of the data presented by the RSPCA, refers to animals actually killed or requiring treatment. People reporting attacks may be more concerned about some animals (cats) than others (foxes). Animal cruelty of this type is reprehensible and wholly inappropriate. This data is necessarily, however, only 'back of the envelope' (i.e. statistically, not very reliable) calculation. We shouldn't simply assume that animal cruelty has doubled in a year.