Cats shot by neighbour

Go to the cops, they will see if he has a licence and prosecute if he hasn't. Do your vets bills give an idea of what caused the injuries? Is it consistent with an air rifle?

Most air rifles bought into this country are over one joule.

I would go to Gardai OP.

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Who pissed on your cornflakes?

The 1 joule limit applies to Airsoft. Those fire a plastic ball BB weighing 0.2g at approx 320fps. The impact of a BB will sting, but it won't break skin and is unlikely to cause lasting harm.

Actual air rifles that fire lead or composite pellets which will kill vermin and small game all fire at many multiples of the 1 joule limit. The standard rifle is usually 12ft/lbs, which is approx 17 joules. This is the limit below which Air Rifles in the UK are "unlicensed". As Ireland is a small market for Air Rifles, most dealers source stock via UK so most air rifles licensed in Ireland are 17 joules at a minimum, with a lot of more powerful rifles in circulation as "FAC" (Firearms Certificate) rated in UK are used as a matter of course.

Don't fall into the trap of Airsoft = Air rifle, especially as airsoft can't fire steel BB at a velocity hich enough to cause harm without serious modification.

To the OP, if your cats have been wounded by an Air Rifle or if you suspect they have? Report it to the Gardaí. If any of your cats have suffered a penetrating injury? Your Vet will be able to support any report.

I was just going by what the guidelines say. "Crossbows, spearguns and all airguns with a muzzle velocity of over 1 joule (including paintball markers) are legally considered firearms and have to be licensed. You should apply for a firearms certificate in the normal way." https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/31d35-firearms-your-questions-answered/

The OP said 'Air rifle', which is a specific type of firearm that shoots lead pellets. Which would be make sense if cats were being injured/killed. These need a license.

'Airgun' mentioned in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 sounds similar but there's some nuance in the terminology around all of this as it also covers airsoft, which if it's under a joule, does not need a license.

By the sounds of things it sounds like someone local to the OP has an Air Rifle which is either legally licensed (and he's using it for illegal purposes) or an unlicensed illegally owned Air rifle.

Either way, I'm sure the Gardai would be interested. Have you spoken to them OP?

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I take it you go round smashing those massive French windows and other types of glazing that kill thousands of birds because they fly into them? Far more wild birds are killed by humans in various ways than by cats. Wind farms are another massive danger to them. Wouldn't want to be hypocritical about caring for birdlife, would we?

Sorry, OP, I don't know anything about the law in that regard, but I'm really sorry that's happened to your poor cats. How horrible for them, and you.

So sorry to hear this OP.

Hope the Garda catch whoever it is that Is doing it. They sound like animal haters.

I wonder this as well. I have a nice picnic area - pergoda, and cats are damaging the cushions and the decks. Why is this happening? Can you stop the cats going there somehow?

It's frustrating to have a neighbour who doesn't control their pet and allows it to defecate freely outside of their property or damage other peoples property but you'd have to be more concerned about having another neighbour who thinks it's OK to shoot those pets! It's not the action of someone with a right-thinking mind and certainly not someone that should be in possession of a weapon so I'd echo the comments that it should be reported to the Gardaí.

You should bring it up with Gardai. At least if anyone catches him in the act they can't act like this is news or an isolated incident. They should be aware there is someone out shooting cats. If this is a pattern they will have to trace it down.

You could band together with some neighbours bring it up with SPCA or local animal charities. They may have suggestions on how you can resolve this, it is a serious act of animal cruelty.

Fairly sure cats fall under the 'Protection of Animals' act, you cant just go around shooting them like rats.

A lot of Irish people have a strange relationship with cats. My own theory is it's some sort of left over from our superstitious past in this country that's just carried down generationally.

The amount of people who've told me they 'hate cats' without having ever really interacting with them is a bit mad.

Must be a good life, having so few worries and so much time that you obsess with cat poop.