KentOnline readers have been left horrified by a series of sickening attacks on wildlife. But what is fueling the terrifying epidemic, and what can be done to stop it? Ellie Hodgson delves into the murkier realms of social media.
The light of a torch pierces the darkness and falls on the top of a bare tree, glaring down at a lone dove, defenseless and exposed.
In the background, the boy’s murmurs fall silent as all attention is focused on the single pull of the catapult.
With one blow, the bird is knocked out of the tree and instantly falls to the ground with a helpless flop.
“That’s a nice shot,” says an older man.
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Bloody squirrels, rabbits, and pigeons – welcome to the sick world of catapult-wielding TikTok users.
Scroll through and you’ll see hundreds of accounts dedicated to sharing your latest kills.
Only some of these harrowing videos have been censored, with warnings saying “Sensitive content – some people may find this video offensive,” but it’s no secret that the content is so easily accessible. Completely disappointed, I clicked.
I came across a dead blackbird sitting next to a catapult. This is when the killer points the camera at a tree to show where he shot from and then pans back to the defenseless animal.
As the video continues, a rap song called “We The Men” plays in the background.
I quickly scrolled through the same person’s page, and this time I found a dead pigeon, face down, bleeding, next to the weapon.
The video switches every few seconds, showing another photo of the bird taken by the killer, then another photo, then another photo.
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I watched the movie until the end, and was shocked when I saw the disturbing moment when the pigeon on the roof was shot by a catapult and began to flap its wings helplessly. It was absolutely heartbreaking.
But the comments send even more chills down my spine, as many people praise the culprit and say, “Mint Shot, how did you get really good at pachinko?”
Two others wrote: “Good shot.”
“Please stop, we love it,” another added.
More than 1000 people follow the content from this account alone.
It didn’t take long for the boy to find another account where he uploaded image after image of his catapult collection. Every fourth image showed the latest victim.
This time it was a lifeless rabbit, sprawled out on the grass. The caption reads, “Some sets and some kills.”
Another image showed a dead pigeon, also with a catapult around its neck, being photographed, which made me shudder.
Another account has uploaded multiple images of slingshots, and as you scroll through, you’re again faced with another victim, this time a dead rat.
There are an infinite number of accounts and an infinite number of victims.
Heartbreakingly, I discovered another horrific TikTok video. This time it was a photo of her four squirrels, covered in blood, lined up and her two catapults resting on their lifeless bodies.
As I scrolled further through this person’s public account, I was disgusted to see a video of a boy no older than 10 or 11 being encouraged by his father.
When the boy took aim and fired, the man behind the camera seemed pleased with his son’s accomplishment, saying, “You’re my shooting buddy. You’re doing well.”
As I observed further, I came across a young boy posing with a catapult in one hand and a dead squirrel in the other.
The fact that this boy is being taught, coached, and encouraged to behave like this is beyond me.
The father said in an excited voice: “That’s my young man, a young sniper.”
I can’t watch the video anymore.
Although these are shared on most social media sites, KentOnline took a closer look at TikTok after residents raised concerns about videos being shared on the platform following several attacks.
The law states that hurting, killing or harming wild birds is a criminal offense, and police have taken action in recent weeks.
On April 19, police confirmed that two catapults and 62 ball bearings had been seized from two boys in Paddock Wood after reports of them being used to target wildlife.
People claimed that the Catapult crime was influenced by TikTok trends.
Days later, a pet peacock was brutally killed with a catapult by teenagers and the family themselves were threatened.
The senseless attack was caught on CCTV and sparked an outpouring of disgust from the community.
On April 29, police confirmed that a 15-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and possessing an offensive weapon after a pet peacock was reported to have been killed by a catapult.
Additionally, a 10-year-old boy, a 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl have been questioned in connection with the incident, and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances.
But that wasn’t the end. Another alleged attack occurred on April 28 when a helpless duck was found dead next to nine “stone cold” eggs.
Graphic images show the poor bird’s beak shattered and large wounds on its body, believed to have been caused by marbles fired from a weapon.
These incidents are part of a “worrying trend”, RSPCA chief wildlife officer Geoff Edmonds said.
“People are using animals for target practice, using catapults and firing weapons, and the pain and suffering is terrible,” he says.
Mr Geoff told Kent Online that the increase in cases was part of a trend seen not only in Kent but also in other parts of the country.
“We are seeing animals, especially birds, being targeted and suffering horrific brutality.
“It’s really worrying that people are potentially targeting birds and animals with catapults.”
So why do people do it? Sophie Kress, a family therapist and mental health expert, said platforms like TikTok, which allow trends to spread rapidly among large groups of users, are still nurturing critical thinking skills and empathy. It is said that this could have a big impact on the young people who wear it.
“Regular exposure to brutality and violence can desensitize us, which in turn reduces our ability to empathize and increases our propensity to take harmful actions without considering the potential consequences. ”
“TikTok trends appeal to children because they provide a sense of belonging and social acceptance.”
“When children see their peers or popular creators participating in trends, they naturally want to participate and seek approval from their social circle,” she added.
As a result, Sophie says, if children see their peers or role models committing animal abuse, they may think it is acceptable and desirable.
“A desire to conform to society and a lack of guidance about what is socially or morally appropriate can lead to such behavior,” she added.
Due to this trend, there are no restrictions on the purchase of catapults, which are commonly used for fishing, and they are very easy to obtain.
Online marketplace Temu is offering huge discounts, with over 50 slingshots listed for just £1.68.
They are also sold as toys at large stores.
One 15-year-old boy went to B&M in the Raynham area on behalf of KentOnline and was able to buy it for £3, no questions asked.
She said: “It was really easy to get a toy catapult. It’s just plastic and it’s meant for water play, but it looks like it can shoot rocks and marbles.”
Although there are no laws prohibiting such sales, ease of access will only accelerate this trend.
And TikTok accounts are taking full advantage of this fact, with many dedicated to selling weapons called “catty” and offering discounts on ball bearings.
One TikTok account’s profile states: “Caty and Ball Bearings on sale from 10pm (private message), color requests accepted.”
Some accounts also offer video tutorials on how to create your own catapult by tying rubber bands to the frame.
TikTok’s online safety and civility policy states that it does not allow “threats of violence, promotion or incitement of violence, or promotion of criminal activity that may harm people, animals, or property.”
However, if you report a video that violates community guidelines, you will be told it will not be removed within an hour.
It was only after I identified myself as a journalist in the press room that the decision to allow the footage to be saved was reversed.
TikTok also reiterated that its community guidelines do not allow violent threats, incitement of violence, or promotion of criminal activity that may harm people, animals, or property.
The platform says the organization has more than 40,000 safety experts dedicated to keeping TikTok safe. They use a combination of technology and moderation teams to identify, review, and remove content that violates our guidelines.
Social media giants are also considering improving their policies and enforcement strategies when dealing with moderation on such a large scale.
There is also an online petition calling on the government to make it illegal to sell catapults and ammunition and to carry catapults in public. This is the job of wildlife rescuers who believe we are living in a “wildlife crime pandemic.”
A petition created by Danny Rogers is calling for legislation to stop dealers selling these weapons in the UK.
This opinion is echoed by the Kent Wildlife Trust, which says the UK ranks among the lowest in the world for biodiversity and wildlife is at risk.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “The idea that people would kill or harm living things in order to praise others online is disgusting and perhaps why we live in a world so depleted of nature. “Maybe it shows whether it has become the norm.”
Instead, the trust is urging people who find content targeting animals online to block and report it.
“TikTok and other social media channels are full of amazing, inspirational people who are striving to protect our natural world, make it a better place, and counter negative opinions by following them. “There are environmental activists who give…” the spokesperson added.
In response to the petition, the government said: “Current law strikes a fine line between protecting wildlife from a minority of people who abuse catapults, and at the same time allowing the public to enjoy legitimate recreation.” “It provides balance.”
The Interior Ministry statement continued: “At this time there are no plans to introduce legislation to prohibit the possession of catapults in public or to prohibit the sale of catapults or catapult ammunition.”
From what I’ve witnessed online, the availability of these weapons and the influence of social media that facilitates the dissemination of this kind of content and ideas makes them perfect for sick people to attack defenseless wild animals. A friendly environment is provided.
Mindset psychologist Dr. Rebecca Wannick says people who share videos promoting harm to animals may have a variety of underlying motivations.
She says this behavior may stem from wanting attention, especially since it is “outrageous and very likely to provoke a reaction.”
“Reinforced by likes and shares by colleagues and others, without corrective feedback, fuels this inappropriate behavior,” she added.
And this is exactly what’s happening on TikTok.
Every video I’ve seen of a lifeless bird is accompanied by comments reinforcing the act.
“It’s still a baby, that’s a nice shot.”
“Son, that was a great shot of the little sniper.”
“Nice shot, boy.”
This is a behavior that is reinforced in online communities.
We need to stop that.
I stumbled across a comment objecting to the actions of a TikTok user wielding a catapult.
“There’s still emotion in killing a helpless bird,” one person wrote.
The response was, “He’s no longer a friend. He just had a 12mm lead attached to his bones.”