Pigeon ‘hunter’ in hot water with SPCA and police
The same rules as for higher-calibre firearms apply.
If you think it is legal to discharge your airgun (pellet gun, BBB gun) in a suburban area, think again.
A resident of Horizon View, who ironically lives on Dove Street, learnt this the hard way after his neighbour complained that he had been shooting pigeons in her yard. She was especially upset when she found one of the birds wounded but not dead. She asked the culprit to take the pigeon to the veterinarian but the veterinarian’s receptionist allegedly told him “Its okay, you can shoot pigeons”.
Also Read: SPCA gives clarity about pellet guns
On a separate occasion the complainant phoned the police, who misunderstood her and thought a person had been shot. Six police vehicles arrived at her home but when the officers heard she was complaining about pigeons being shot, they allegedly laughed in her face and told her, “He is allowed to shoot pigeons”.
But now the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (SPCA) has opened a case against the culprit in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. Mike Allen, a Roodepoort SPCA inspector, told the Record that the SPCA takes the matter very seriously and is there to protect all animals, including birds. A case of discharging an airgun in a built-up area will also be opened with the police.
In terms of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2002, the same rules that apply for higher-calibre firearms, apply for airguns. This means an airgun may not be used to commit a crime, to fire shots at another person, to injure another person, to damage property, to abuse animals, or be pointed at any other person without good reason to do so, or be discharged in a built-up area or any public place without good reason to do so. None of these firearms are to be handled while a person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Committing any of these offences can land you in prison. A person has to get written permission from Council to shoot an airgun in a built-up area, except if it is at a sports event.
The Record is currently awaiting comment from the complainant.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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