A charity is demanding stricter controls on air guns as the latest figures show Kent is one of the worst places for animals being shot.

The RSPCA recorded 35 attacks in the county last year, putting it behind only Greater London (38) and Greater Manchester (36) for the highest number in the south east.

And officials say the statistics could be the tip of the iceberg, with many incidents going unreported.

The charity wants people with air guns to be forced to obtain a licence.

It comes as the RSPCA revealed it received 7,671 reports of animals being shot in 2018 across England and Wales, with 126 of these reports coming from the south east alone.

Cats bore the brunt of the shootings with 258 attacks and pigeons came in second with 112 incidents.

Kent is historically a hotspot for air gun attacks on animals.

Dermot Murphy, the RSPCA's chief inspectorate officer said: "During last year alone, we received 767 reports of attacks where air guns were used on animals across England and Wales.

"Animals are suffering horrendous injuries and often dying as a result of air gun attacks and these weapons are also potentially extremely dangerous for people.

"Every one of the 258 pet cats and 73 dogs deliberately killed or maimed last year by people using air guns represents a devastated family.

"And the cruelty continues, with large numbers of wild mammals and birds, including foxes, squirrels, swans, gulls and pigeons targeted as well.

"We believe air gun misuse is happening on a large scale and what we see at the RSPCA could be the tip of the iceberg.

"We believe that stricter controls are long overdue.

"Mandatory licensing would be an effective start, but we also need improved enforcement of air gun legislation as well as better, more targeted education and explanation of the law for those buying one."

Nearly half of vets who replied to a British Veterinary Association survey in 2016 said they had treated cats which had been victims of air gun crime and nearly half those incidents had proved fatal.

A Government review into the use of airguns after the death of a boy concluded 18 months ago but has yet to report its conclusions and recommendations.

A significant proportion of the 50,000 public responses to the government’s air weapons review were about the use of these weapons against animals such as cats.

Mr Murphy added: "We are disappointed that 18 months after it concluded the government have still yet to say how they will improve the management and use of air guns despite evidence given to them on the suffering caused to animals through their misuse.

"Animals continue to be maimed and killed every year so the RSPCA is calling on the government to bring in tighter restrictions such as licensing, which we know in Scotland worked, resulting in a 75% drop in animal related complaints in its first year."

"Animals are suffering horrendous injuries and often dying as a result of air gun attacks and these weapons are also potentially extremely dangerous for people" - Dermot Murphy

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) says there are already 36 laws that apply to air weapons.

A spokesman said: "It is essential these laws are fully enforced before reaching for further restrictions in order to tackle crime.

"Introducing mandatory licensing for air weapons, as suggested by the RSPCA, would place an unreasonable burden on the police, and it has already been demonstrated in Scotland that only a minority of guns are licensed.

"Those who commit animal welfare offences are unlikely to submit to licensing requirements, so further regulation disproportionately affects law abiding air gun owners.

"Education has been shown to be a significant factor in reducing crime levels, and BASC centres itself around ensuring the safe and lawful use of air weapons is learnt from a young age."

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