Is it legal to import a catapult by post?

Wheelnut

I suspect there is no law against importing a catapult (value €10 - €20) because it is not a firearm or a blade, but others might say it is a weapon.

This arises because I have two problems here: a murder (flock) of crows that raids the bird table and a neighbour's dog who calls for a sh!t on the lawn every day. The latter is actually serious because I have a baby grandson who will be playing on the lawn come the summer.

I can not use a gun because of the proximity of neighbouring houses and a main road. Also a blast of number 4 shot up the dog's ar$e might not be good for neighbourly relations. So it occurred to me that a catapult and some small stones might be the solution. I think I could hit the dog and give him a sting, I would probably miss the crows but at least the television aerials would be safe.

I think a catapult is little more than a toy, but it can be dangerous. Some of them seem well constructed with metal forks and wrist brackets to steady them. They can look impressive.

What view do the customs people take of these? I am talking about the sort of catapult that can be bought on e-Bay

drunkmonkey

Bucket of water would be just as effective on the dog.

Witcher

It's certainly illegal to use it in the way you describe.

Cogsy88

Most angling and hunting shops sell them.

Blackjack

I don't think you need to actually Import one.

valerossi

Crows are out of season till next year with the exception for derogation. Hope your a good shot their hard to kill and angry as fu#k.

donvito99

Read the thread title to the effect of may you post by catapult.

Sorely disappointed

Lmklad

A more practical solution for you:

Crows - change the table or add a hanging bird feeder for smaller birds.

Dog - request your neighbour control their dog, as required under the Control of Dogs Act. Also drop a line to your local Dog Warden for advice.

I doubt there would be much of an issue using a catapult on crows, it's comes down to how powerful the shot is - the speed it travels and also if there is a risk of someone/something else being hit if you miss the crows. Better avoid the issue by getting a feeder. If you hit the dog the owner would be within their rights to make a complaint, better avoided by getting the dog owner to follow their own obligations.

For Forks Sake

donvito99 wrote: »

Read the thread title to the effect of may you post by catapult.

Sorely disappointed

I was expecting talk of the likes of this. I am also disappoint.

Pat Mustard

Wheelnut wrote: »

it occurred to me that a catapult and some small stones might be the solution. I think I could hit the dog and give him a sting

A large water pistol like a supersoaker might be less likely to land you in court on a charge of cruelty to animals.

I can't see a difficulty in importing a slingshot.

PucaMama

Why is physically hurting the dog acceptable to you op are you incapable of talking to your neighbours

Wheelnut

PucaMama wrote: »

Why is physically hurting the dog acceptable to you op...

Up until this I got my kicks from chopping up worms and pulling out spiders' legs, I just thought it was time to move onto something bigger.