Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to reduce the number of fatal shootings of cats; and if she will make a statement.

The Government considers that animal cruelty is abhorrent. In addition to strict firearms legislation governing the possession carrying and use of guns, it is already an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal. All such incidents should be reported to the police who have the necessary powers to investigate.