On 6 June, residents of the town of Cambridge County, located in Guangzhou, reported to the media as a whole that there was a suspected use of crossbow weapons to target stray cats and dogs in the surrounding area, where, in recent days, stray cats had been shot in the leg and broken and were being treated by pro bono organizations.
Ms. Zhu, a citizen involved in the rescue, informed the journalists that there were measures for the integrated management of stray cats in the sub-region, following the self-financing of owners for the sterilization of stray cats in the sub-region, vaccinations against insects, adoptions, and the placement of a number of monitored dispensers in the sub-district. "We were outraged when we found out that the cat had been shot."
“For fear of people, it took seven or eight days to find the arrow and catch the cat, and finally, at 4:00 a.m., a neighbor caught the cat and sent it to the pet hospital for treatment. About $7,000 has been raised to prepare the cat for a fracture.” Ms. Chu.
The photographs provided by Ms. Zhu show that the metal arrows that hit the cat were sharpened, with rust on the surface and a penetrating structure. The arrow length was more than 10 centimetres and approximately 4 centimetres were inserted into the cat ' s leg, resulting in a broken leg.
The residents of the community, who have long been concerned about stray cats, have stated that they play an important role in controlling rats and maintaining ecological balance, but that the inhabitants of the community are diverse, ranging from caring for and caring for stray animals to concerns about animal health and safety among some neighbours. “Whatever the position, we oppose any violence or dangerous behaviour, let alone tolerate the presence of instruments of physical threat in the environment of life.”
In Guangzhou, there have been several recent shootings of stray cats and dogs. In May of this year, journalists found that two arrows had been fired at the head of stray dogs in Shaku village, a few kilometres from the Cambridge County quarter.
According to counsel, from the legal profession ' s point of view, objects such as arrows or crossbows held by the perpetrator were lethal devices. In the case of crossbows, in accordance with article 32 of the Law of the People ' s Republic of China on the Punishment of Public Security Administration, it is expressly prohibited for citizens to illegally hold instruments. The crossbow, which has been improved by modern technology, has characteristics that are portable, long-range and highly accurate. The illegal sale, purchase and possession of such equipment is itself contrary to the law. Weapons such as bows and arrows, such as crossbows and composite bows, are not subject to the control of public security organs, but must also be used legally and must not interfere with public safety, harm or damage the property of others.
At present, residents of the Cambridge subdistrict have reported the incident to the local police station and the incident is under investigation.