Sky News Campaign Exposes Horrifying Extent of Catapult Crime

Children are filming themselves using catapults to kill and torture animals in a UK-wide network on WhatsApp, Sky News can reveal.

Warning: This story contains images and descriptions readers may find distressing

The youngsters - including some of primary school age - have been sharing footage and photos of their kills in groups on the messaging app.

In some videos, injured animals are shown dying slowly after being shot with hand-held catapults.

In others, young people kick and abuse the animals after shooting them - as well as pose holding their dead bodies.

A recent Sky News investigation has highlighted the growing problem of catapult attacks on animals, with reports of children using these weapons to maim and kill wildlife before sharing disturbing images on WhatsApp and other social media platforms. Read the full article here.

© Sky News