Pellet shooters: You’ve been warned

AMANZIMTOTI police shared what sanction the law metes out to someone found to be shooting animals.

Read about it here: Distraught bird rescuer speaks out after horrific Zulwini Gardens shootings and  Search continues for Amanzimtoti bird pellet gun shooter 

“An unknown person within Amanzimtoti area is alleged to have embarked on an animal killing spree, which injured both domestic and wild animals,” said Toti SAPS’ Captain Charlene van der Spuy, after an animal cruelty complaint was lodged.

“In general, animals are protected by the state, thus no person may kill nor inflict injuries on animals unless it is authorised, for example during open season.”

Van der Spuy said in terms of Section 2(1)(s) of the Animal Protection Act of 1962, any person who kills an animal in contravention of a prohibition in terms of a notice published in the Gazette, is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine or imprisonment not exceeding 12 months.

“In terms of the Firearms Control Act of 2000, it is not a requirement to possess a firearm licence for a person to own a pellet gun. However, a pellet gun is regarded as a firearm in terms of the definition section of this Act. Thus anyone who uses a pellet gun to commit a crime may be charged for possession of a firearm replica to induce fear. It is an offence to discharge a pellet gun in a residential area since it jeopardises the safety of an innocent person.”

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