CRUEL animal torturers could face five years in jail as an animal hospital reveals it treats a shot animal on average every week.

New legislation has been proposed which could lead to a rise in the maximum prison sentence from six months for animal cruelty.

Sue Schwar, founder of South Essex Wildlife Hospital, said: “Sometimes it is more and of course most of the animals that die out there may have also been shot but we just don’t know that.

“We had a cormorant brought in which had been shot three times with airgun pellets and could not survive these injuries.

“Over the course of the year we see so many of these cases that it averages out to around one-a-week.

“Only a few weeks ago, a badger brought to the hospital and it was only when the X-ray was done staff realised she had an air rifle pellet inside her. Sadly she died from her injuries.

Hundreds of animals subjected to cruelty are seen each year at the hospital.

Ms Schwar added: “We often get birds that have been shot by vandals taking pot shots at them causing immense suffering to the animal.

“Pellets are often lodged in an area of the body that is dangerous to operate on. It’s not just wildlife that perpetrators hit, as we also see domestic pets, mainly cats that have been targeted. Not only is it awful to see but it is of course totally illegal and a prosecutable offence.”

The RSPCA reports that in the last five years it has received 4,500 calls regarding such injuries to animals and the charity is calling for mandatory licensing of air guns in England and Wales, to follow in Scotland and Ireland’s footsteps.

A draft Animal Welfare Bill has now been completed calling for animal cruelty prosecutions to enforce jail terms of up to five years - from the current maximum of six months.

You can contact the SEWH on 01375 893 893 or southessexwildlife.org