KentOnline readers have been left horrified by a spate of sickening attacks on wildlife. But what is fuelling the horrific craze and what can be done to stop it? Elli Hodgson delves into the murky world of social media in a report containing images some may find distressing…

The light of a torch pierces through the darkness and lands in the top of a bare tree, glaring over a single pigeon - defenceless and exposed.

In the background, the murmurs of a young boy fall silent as all attention is focused on a single pull of the catapult.

In one shot the bird is knocked off the tree as it falls instantly to the ground flapping helplessly.

“Good shot,” an older man says.

Blood-soaked squirrels, rabbits, and pigeons – welcome to the sick world of catapult-wielding TikTok users.

As I scroll, I am confronted with hundreds of accounts dedicated to sharing their latest kill.

Only some of these harrowing videos are censored and warn of ‘Sensitive content - some people may find this video disturbing,’ but I click, utterly dismayed that the content is so easy to access.

I’m met with a dead blackbird positioned next to a catapult – as the killer turns the camera up at the tree to show where he’s shot it from and pans back to the defenceless animal.

As the video continues a rap song called ‘We The Men’ plays in the background.

A quick scroll on the same person’s page and this time I find a dead pigeon, bleeding face down, positioned next to the weapon.

The video shifts every few seconds to show another picture the killer has taken of the bird, and then another, and then another.

I watch until the end and shiver as I see the disturbing moment a pigeon on a roof is shot by the catapult and begins flapping helplessly – it is utterly heart-breaking.

But the comments send a greater chill down my spine as many praise the killer and say: “Mint shot, how did you become really good at slingshot?”

Two others write “good shot”.

“Git up we love that,” another adds.

This account alone has over 1000 people following the content.

It doesn’t take me long to find another account where a young boy uploads image after image of his catapult collection, with every fourth image showing his latest victim.

This time a rabbit, sprawled out on the grass and lifeless – the caption reads: “A few of my sets and some kills”.

Other images reveal a deceased pigeon, again with the catapult placed around its neck for the photo – I shudder.

Another account uploads multiple images of slingshots, and as I scroll, I am again faced with another victim – this time a dead mouse.

The accounts are endless, and the victims are endless.

Heart-wrenchingly, I discover another gruesome TikTok video, this time four blood-soaked squirrels are lined up and pictured with two catapults on top of their lifeless bodies.

As I scroll more on this person’s account, which is public, I am sickened to watch videos of a young boy, no older than 10 or 11, being encouraged by his father.

The young boy aims and shoots, to which the man behind the camera says: “Good shooting mate – solid,” seemingly delighted by his son’s achievements.

As I watch more, I come across the young boy posed with his catapult in one hand and a dead squirrel in another.

The fact this young boy is being taught, coached, and encouraged for this behaviour is incomprehensible to me.

The dad exclaims in excitement: “That’s my lad – young sniper in the making”.

I can’t look at any more videos.

They are shared across most social media sites, but KentOnline took a deeper look at TikTok after residents raised concerns about videos being shared on the platform following several attacks.

The law states it is a criminal offence to harm, kill or injure a wild bird and action has been taken by police in recent weeks.

On April 19, police confirmed two catapults and 62 ball bearings had been seized from two boys in Paddock Wood following reports they were using them to target wildlife.

People claimed the catapult crimes had been influenced by a trend on TikTok.

Only days later a family, whose pet peacock had been brutally killed by teenagers with catapults, were themselves threatened.

The senseless attack, which was captured on CCTV, prompted an outpouring of disgust from the community.

On April 29, police confirmed a 15-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and possession of an offensive weapon following a report a pet peacock was killed with catapults.

In addition, they said a 10-year-old boy, 19-year-old man, as well as a 16-year-old girl, had been interviewed in relation to the incident and an investigation to determine the circumstances is ongoing.

But it didn’t end there. On April 28, another suspected attack occurred when a helpless duck was found lying dead next to her nine “stone cold” eggs.

Graphic images show the poor bird’s beak has been shattered and a gaping wound in its body believed to have been caused by marbles fired from the weapon.

These incidents are part of a “worrying trend,” says RSPCA’s lead wildlife officer, Geoff Edmond.

“People are using animals for target practice by the use of catapults, firing weapons and the pain and suffering is horrendous,” he says.

Geoff told KentOnline the rise in incidents was part of a trend he has seen not just in Kent, but elsewhere in the country.

“We’re seeing animals, particularly birds targeted, and suffering horrendous cruelty.

“It’s really worrying that people are potentially targeting birds and animals with catapults – it’s a real worry."

So why are people doing it? According to family therapist and mental health expert, Sophie Cress, platforms like TikTok, which allow trends to spread quickly among large groups of users, can heavily influence young people who are still developing critical thinking skills and empathy.

She said: “Regular exposure to cruelty and violence can lead to desensitisation – which can result in a decreased ability to empathise and an increased tendency to engage in harmful behaviour without considering the potential outcomes.

“TikTok trends attract kids because they provide a sense of belonging and social acceptance.”

“When children see that their peers or popular creators are participating in a trend, they feel a natural desire to join in, seeking approval from their social circles,” she adds.

As a result, Sophie says that if children see their peers or role models engage in animal cruelty, they may view it as acceptable and desirable.

“The need to fit in, combined with a lack of guidance on what is socially or morally appropriate, can lead to such behaviour,” she adds.

With this particular trend, there are no restrictions on buying catapults, which are often used for fishing, and they're incredibly easy to get hold of.

Online marketplace Temu offers heavily discounted goods, listing over 50 different slingshots for as little as £1.68.

They're also available at bigger stores in the form of toys.

One 15-year-old headed to B&M in Rainham precinct on behalf of KentOnline and was able to purchase one for £3 with no questions asked.

She said: “It was really easy to get hold of a toy catapult – even though it’s just plastic and meant to be for a water fight, it looks like it could still fire a stone or marble.”

There is no legislation that prevents these sales, but the accessibility only fuels the trend.

And accounts on TikTok are making the most of this fact, with many dedicated to selling weapons they call ‘cattys’ and offering discounts on ball bearings.

“Cattys and ball bearings for sale ££ pm (private message) us we take colour requests,” one TikTok account bio states.

Some accounts also offer video tutorials on how to tie rubber bands to frames to make your own catapult.

TikTok’s online safety and civility policy says it does “not allow any violent threats, promotion of violence or incitement to violence, or promotion of criminal activities that may harm people, animals, or property.”

But when I report a video for violating the community guidelines, within an hour I am told it will not be removed.

It was not until I identified myself as a journalist to the press office that the decision to allow the footage to remain was overturned.

TikTok also reiterated that its community guidelines do not allow any violent threats, incitement to violence or promotion of criminal activities that may harm people, animals or property.

According to the platform, the organisation has over 40,000 safety professionals dedicated to keeping TikTok safe. They use a combination of technologies and moderation teams to identify, review and remove content that violates its guidelines.

The social media giants are also looking at improving their policies and enforcement strategies when dealing with moderation on such a huge scale.

There is also a petition online urging the government to make the sale of catapults/ammunition and carrying catapults in public illegal. It is the work of a wildlife rescuer who believes we are in a “wildlife crime pandemic”.

The petition, created by Danni Rogers, calls for legislation to stop traders selling these weapons in the UK.

This sentiment is echoed by Kent Wildlife Trust who say wildlife is in crisis, with the UK being ranked one of the lowest in the world for biodiversity.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “To think that people would kill or maim living creatures for the online admiration of others is disgusting and perhaps an indication to why it has become the norm to live in such a nature-depleted world.”

Instead, the trust urges people who come across content targeting animals online, to block and report the content.

“There are some wonderful, inspirational environmentalists on TikTok and other social media channels, who are striving to protect our natural world and make it a better place, counter the negativity by following them,” the spokesperson added.

In response to the petition the government said: “Existing legislation provides the correct balance between protecting wildlife from the small number of individuals who misuse catapults, whilst also allowing the public to enjoy legitimate pastimes.”

The statement from the Home Office goes on to say it has “no plans to legislate to prevent the possession in public of catapults at this time or ban the sale of catapults and catapult ammunition”.

From what I have witnessed online – the accessibility of these weapons and the influence of social media which facilitates the dissemination of this type of content and ideas – is providing the perfect circumstances for sick individuals to attack defenceless wildlife.

Mindset psychologist, Dr Rebekah Wanic, says those sharing videos which promote harm to animals can have various underlying motivations.

She says this behaviour can stem from attention-seeking, especially because it is “outrageous and very likely to cause a reaction”.

“When reinforced with likes or shares by peers and others, the corrective feedback is not given, fuelling more of this inappropriate behaviour,” she adds.

And this is exactly what’s happening on TikTok.

For every video I see of a lifeless bird, there’s a comment reinforcing the behaviour.

“Still only a baby, good shot.”

“Brilliant shot that was son – little sniper.”

“Lovely shots boy.”

This is the behaviour being reinforced in online communities.

It needs to be stopped.

I stumble across one comment challenging the acts of these catapult wielding TikTok users.

“Killing helpless birds – it’s still got feelings,” one writes.

The response: “Not anymore mate, just got a 12mm lead slung at his bonce.”